Delhi's Air Quality Plummets to Severe Levels Amid Pollution Crisis

Severe Air Quality Index Recorded in Delhi

On Wednesday morning, Delhi's air quality was classified as 'severe,' with an air quality index (AQI) reaching 414, as reported by the Central Pollution Control Board.

Data from the Sameer application indicated that at 9:05 AM, 32 out of 39 monitoring stations recorded 'severe' or worse air quality. Notably, the Wazirpur and Bawana stations reported pollution levels exceeding the 'severe plus' threshold.

The AQI scale categorizes air quality as follows: a value between 0 and 50 is considered 'good,' 51 to 100 is 'satisfactory,' and 101 to 200 is 'moderate.' As the index increases, air quality worsens, with 201 to 300 indicating 'poor,' and 301 to 400 classified as 'very poor.'

Values from 401 to 450 signify 'severe' pollution, while anything above 450 is labeled 'severe plus.'

Being in the 'severe' category indicates hazardous pollution levels that can significantly impact even healthy individuals.

Pollution levels escalated to 'severe' on Tuesday, prompting the implementation of Stage 3 restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). This plan consists of a series of incremental anti-pollution measures activated when air quality reaches critical levels in the Delhi-NCR region.

Stage 3 restrictions include a halt on non-essential construction activities, closure of stone crushers, and mining operations, in addition to previously imposed measures from Stages 1 and 2.

Moreover, primary schools up to Class 5 have transitioned to a hybrid learning model, allowing parents and students to choose between offline and online classes where applicable.

Restrictions also extend to the use of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles in Delhi and the NCR. The Bharat Stage Emission Standards are regulations established by the Indian government aimed at controlling vehicular air pollutants.

During winter, air quality in Delhi tends to deteriorate sharply, often ranking as the world's most polluted capital.

Factors contributing to this crisis include stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana, firecracker usage, vehicular emissions, lower temperatures, reduced wind speeds, and pollution from industries and coal-fired power plants.

Since mid-October, the air quality in the national capital has consistently been categorized as 'poor' or worse, leading to the enforcement of anti-pollution measures under GRAP.