The air quality in Delhi on Monday morning, recorded at 331 according to the Central Pollution Control Board, falls within the ‘very poor’ category. Despite marginal improvement on November 19, experts suggest that significant relief from high pollution levels in Delhi and its suburbs is unlikely in the coming days. At 6:30 am, Delhi recorded a temperature of 13.4 degrees Celsius with a visibility of 1500 meters, as per the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The CPCB reported ‘very poor’ air quality at various stations in Delhi, including Jahangirpuri (AQI 395), Punjabi Bagh (AQI 388), Rohini (AQI 381), Nehru Nagar (AQI 376), Anand Vihar (AQI 364), Sonia Vihar (AQI 359), and Patparganj (AQI 358). Stations with ‘poor’ air quality include Pusa, Vivek Vihar, Noida Sector-1, Dilshad Garden, and Lodhi Road.
Persistent ‘very poor’ to ‘severe’ pollution levels in Delhi over the past weeks are attributed to stubble burning in neighboring states, vehicular emissions, and unfavorable weather conditions. In Punjab, authorities have registered 932 FIRs against farmers for crop residue burning since November 8, imposing fines totaling ₹1.67 crore in 7,405 cases. The Supreme Court had directed Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan on November 7 to halt crop residue burning immediately.
The Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) is a statutory body tasked with developing strategies to address pollution in the region. To combat pollution, the commission implemented several measures, including restricting the entry of vehicles into Delhi to only those using CNG, electric, and BS VI-compliant technologies. Additionally, they had put in place Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). However, as of November 18, the central government decided to lift the ban on construction work related to linear projects and the entry of trucks with high pollution levels into Delhi. This decision was based on an observed improvement in air quality. Such adjustments in regulations are common and are typically made in response to real-time air quality assessments. It’s important for regulatory bodies to continually monitor air quality data and make necessary changes to their strategies while considering various environmental, economic, and developmental factors. For the latest updates, it is recommended to refer to official announcements from relevant authorities.
It’s essential for regulatory bodies to continuously monitor air quality and adjust their strategies accordingly to balance environmental concerns with other economic and developmental factors. If there are any further updates or changes in the situation, it would be advisable to stay informed through official announcements from relevant authorities.