Delhi has activated stage-4 of its emergency anti-pollution plan as the city’s air quality index (AQI) hit alarming levels. On Monday morning, the AQI reached 481, classified as “severe plus,” posing serious health risks.
Emergency Measures to Combat Pollution
The Centre for Air Quality Management (CAQM) announced stringent measures on Sunday evening as the AQI touched 457. These include:
1. Truck Entry Ban: Non-essential trucks are barred from entering Delhi, except those carrying essential commodities or running on LNG, CNG, electric power, or BS-VI diesel engines.
2. Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) Restrictions: Non-electric or non-CNG LCVs from outside Delhi are prohibited unless involved in essential services.
3. Diesel Vehicle Restrictions: BS-IV and lower diesel-powered Medium and Heavy Goods Vehicles (MGVs and HGVs) registered in Delhi are banned, with exceptions for essential services.
4. Construction Halt: All construction and demolition activities are suspended, including infrastructure projects like highways, power lines, and public pipelines.
5. School Closures: In-person classes are halted except for students in grades 10 and 12.
6. Workplace Restrictions: Government, municipal, and private offices are operating at 50% capacity, with the remainder of employees working from home.
Additional measures, such as implementing odd-even vehicle rules and closing colleges, may follow if air quality fails to improve.
Pollution Sources and Challenges
The deteriorating air quality is attributed to stubble burning in neighboring states, which accounts for 38% of Delhi’s pollution this year, along with unfavorable weather conditions. The smog, exacerbated by high humidity, calm winds, and falling temperatures, is expected to persist through the week.
Winter smog has become an annual crisis for Delhi, with stagnant cold air trapping pollutants, smoke, and emissions from illegal farm fires, creating hazardous living conditions.