Delhi's Air Quality Plummets to 'Severe Plus' as Authorities Impose Stringent Restrictions
New Delhi, Tuesday : The Indian capital's air quality continued its downward spiral on Monday, escalating to a hazardous 483, classified as "severe plus" under the Air Quality Index (AQI). The alarming rise in pollution prompted authorities to take drastic measures, including a ban on construction activities and restrictions on vehicle movement.
The Commission on Air Quality Management (CAQM) announced the enforcement of Stage IV of its Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), a move aimed at addressing the worsening air crisis. This comes after warnings issued by neighboring regions, where nearby cities like Noida, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram faced similar air quality issues.
"Due to severe deterioration in air quality, we have decided to implement all actions under Stage IV of GRAP with immediate effect," said the CAQM. Under this plan, authorities will enforce a ban on non-essential truck traffic into Delhi, except for LNG/CNG/electric trucks and BS-VI diesel vehicles.
Schools were closed throughout the day as part of the restrictions, while government offices were advised to shift to remote work to minimize commuting.
In light of the deteriorating conditions, Environment Minister Gopal Rai scheduled a meeting with department heads Monday, aimed at ensuring a smooth implementation of GRAP measures. The India Meteorological Department also issued warnings of Orange Alert for dense fog which has exacerbated visibility and worsened pollution.
"It is no longer a situation where we can take our eyes off," said an environmental advocate in Delhi. "Immediate steps need to be taken by the government and citizens alike to save lives, particularly the most vulnerable"
As residents were asked to stay indoors, especially those belonging to the most susceptible groups like children, elderly people, and those with pre-existing health conditions. However it appears that these efforts have been undermined with regards public health.
The worsening air quality has led authorities in its wake not only to implement these measures but also taking concrete steps towards immediate policy reforms in Delhi's government infrastructure.
The nation watched anxiously as the pollution worsened at alarming highs, a situation described various experts have called upon for severe urgent action.