Toxic smog chokes Delhi-NCR; Schools closed, construction banned; 10 points amid health-threatening AQI
Alarmed by the spike in air pollution levels, the Centre’s pollution control panel has ordered an immediate ban on non-essential construction, stone crushing and mining in the region.
New Delhi: Delhi-NCR’s air quality approached the emergency threshold on Thursday, prompting an immediate ban on non-essential construction work and the closure of primary schools in the capital as authorities moved quickly to tackle the health-threatening pollution. As a dense and pungent haze blanketed the Delhi-NCR skyline, the concentration of PM2.5, fine particles that can penetrate deep into the respiratory system and cause health problems, exceeded the safe limit of 60 micrograms per cubic meter by seven. increased eightfold at several locations in the region.
The city’s AQI fell to 422 at 10pm, the worst so far this season. The average 24-hour AQI was 364 on Wednesday, 359 on Tuesday, 347 on Monday, 325 on Sunday, 304 on Saturday and 261 on Friday.
Not only Delhi, but several cities in neighboring Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh also reported dangerous air. These include Hanumangarh (438) and Sri Ganganagar (359) in Rajasthan; Hisar (414), Fatehabad (423), Jind (413), Rohtak (388), Sonepat (374), Kurukshetra (343), Karnal (343), Kaithal (379), Bhiwani (355), Faridabad (368) and Gurugram (297) in Haryana; and Ghaziabad (286), Noida (313) and Greater Noida (402) in Uttar Pradesh.
Scientists have warned of further deterioration in air quality in Delhi-NCR in the next two weeks.
Delhi-NCR AQI severe to dangerous: here are the top 10 points
- Alarmed by the spike in air pollution levels, the Centre’s pollution control panel has ordered an immediate ban on non-essential construction, stone crushing and mining in the region.
- Restrictions have also been imposed on plying of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel four-wheelers in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar. The transport department said a fine of Rs 20,000 would be imposed on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles.
- Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that all government and private primary schools in the city will remain closed for the next two days due to rising pollution.
- The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), a statutory body responsible for developing strategies to combat pollution in the region, said pollution levels are “only expected to increase further” due to very adverse meteorological and climatic conditions .
- Health professionals have raised concerns that air pollution increases asthma and lung problems in children and the elderly.
- Air pollution in India resulted in 1.67 million deaths in 2019 – the largest death toll from pollution in any country in the world – and was responsible for $36.8 billion in economic losses, according to a new study by researchers at the Global Observatory on Pollution and Health at Boston College, the Indian Council of Medical Research and the Public Health Foundation of India.
- One of the major reasons behind the accumulation of pollutants in the past few days is the lack of rainfall during this post-monsoon season so far. Unfavorable meteorological conditions, combined with emissions from firecrackers, rice straw burning and local pollution sources, contribute to hazardous air quality levels in Delhi-NCR during winters.
- Delhi Environment Minister Rai on Wednesday announced that the city government would ban construction work in areas where the AQI remains above 400 for five consecutive days.
- The Delhi government last month launched a 15-point action plan to reduce air pollution during the winter season, with a strong focus on tackling dust pollution, vehicular emissions and open burning of waste.
- It has launched the ‘Red Light on Gaadi Off’ campaign to combat vehicular pollution and plans to hire 1,000 private CNG buses to strengthen public transport and reduce vehicular pollution.
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