Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram are facing severe air pollution. The AQI hit 500, the highest level, on Tuesday morning, November 19. A thick smog has covered the National Capital Region (NCR) for the seventh day in a row, putting public health at risk.
Areas with Worst Air Quality
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported that several areas, including Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, Bawana, Jahangirpuri, and Major Dhyan Chand Stadium, reached an AQI of 500 at 5 a.m. Other locations such as Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Dwarka Sector-8, RK Puram, Wazirpur, and North Campus also recorded extremely high pollution levels.
Shift to Online Classes
In response to the hazardous air, Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) have moved classes online.
Delhi University will hold online classes until November 23 and resume physical classes on November 25.
JNU will conduct all classes online until November 22, but exams and interviews will proceed as scheduled.
Schools Suspend In-Person Classes
Due to the toxic air, Delhi has suspended physical classes for students in grades 10 and 12.
“From tomorrow, physical classes for Class 10 and 12 will be suspended, and all studies will move online,” said Chief Minister Atishi.
Health Advisory Issued
The Union health secretary issued new guidelines for states and union territories to tackle the pollution crisis. These include:
Strengthening healthcare systems to protect vulnerable groups.
Raising awareness about the health risks of pollution.
Developing action plans at the district and city levels to combat air pollution.
Expanding sentinel hospitals to monitor pollution-related health issues.
Supreme Court Orders Action
The Supreme Court directed all Delhi-NCR states to immediately enforce anti-pollution restrictions under Graded Response Action Plan-4 (GRAP). The court also emphasized that it is the duty of all states to ensure a pollution-free environment for their citizens.
The court criticized the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for delaying GRAP implementation and said it had followed the “wrong” approach.
Key Factors Behind Pollution
The major contributors to Delhi’s pollution are:
Stubble Burning: Burning of agricultural residue in nearby states worsens the air quality.
Weather Conditions: Calm winds and low temperatures trap pollutants, making the air even more toxic.
Moving Forward
With the AQI still in the “severe plus” category, the situation remains critical. Both immediate actions, such as enforcing GRAP, and long-term solutions, like addressing stubble burning, are essential to improving air quality in the region.
