Delhi woke up to another polluted morning with a thin layer of haze and smog engulfing the city. At 371, the Air Quality Index (AQI) remains in the “very poor” category with Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5) being the prominent pollutant, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
#WATCH | Delhi: A layer of dense smog covers the National Capital as the air quality continues to deteriorate. The AQI of the Lodhi Road is 267, categorised as 'poor' as per the CPCB.
— ANI (@ANI) November 22, 2024
(Visuals from Lodhi Road) pic.twitter.com/BePig5vrRI
At 6:30 am, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported visibility at Kanpur and Bengaluru airports as less than 300 meters. Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi and Gorakhpur airports also reported less than 400 meters visibility.
This has directly affected railways. Over 14 trains coming to and from Delhi are delayed, while 11 have been rescheduled.
The nearby areas reported poor levels of AQI - Gurugram (298), Ghaziabad (291), Faridabad (243), Noida (253), and Greater Noida (212).
To curb pollution levels, the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) carried out night cleaning and sweeping of roads at several locations in the national capital early Friday morning.
After a week of 'severe' pollution levels, Delhi's air quality has improved slightly but is still in the 'very poor' zone. In light of the toxic air quality, the Delhi government has been taking several measures like working from home and, online classes to minimise citizens' exposure to the polluted air.
The Central government has also adopted staggered working timings till GRAP-IV is in force – 9 am to 5.30 pm and 10 am to 6.30 pm. “The officers/ staff using personal vehicles should be encouraged to pool vehicles and to use public transport to minimise vehicular pollution,” the Department of Personnel and Training said.
Earlier this week, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) made amendments to restrictions enforced under GRAP III and GRAP IV. It is now mandatory for NCR states to discontinue physical classes up to Class V under GRAP Stage III and up to Class XII under GRAP Stage IV. This marks a significant policy shift, removing the discretionary power previously held by state governments.
Under GRAP Stage III, state governments are required to implement staggered timings for public offices and municipal bodies to reduce traffic congestion and associated emissions. A mask advisory has been introduced under stage IV.
The average daily microplastic exposure rose from 10.7 particles in the colder months to 21.1 in the hotter season, the study highlighted.
Monsoon ushers in respiratory trouble for many and pneumonia cases rise sharply, driven by damp air, viral spread, indoor pollutants, and rain-wetting. Children, elderly, and those with compromised immunity are most vulnerable.
Rain lashed several parts of Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region (NCR) on Saturday evening. Areas including Lajpat Nagar, RK Puram, Lodhi Road, and Mandir Marg witnessed light showers.
In a bid to tackle one of the worst sources of air pollution, Delhi has begun testing retrofitting devices that promise to cut harmful emissions from heavy commercial vehicles by more than 70 per cent.
Delhi is gearing up to build one of India's most advanced e-waste processing facilities, and it's taking cues from Norway's cutting-edge model.
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