New Delhi, Nov 10: The air quality in the national capital remained in the ‘very poor’ category on Sunday morning, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reading a concerning 335. Although there was a marginal improvement in the pollution levels compared to Saturday, the situation still poses significant health risks for the city’s residents.
On Saturday, several pollution hotspots, including Bawana, New Moti Bagh, Rohini, Vivek Vihar, and Wazirpur, recorded AQI levels exceeding 400, placing them in the ‘severe’ category. The city’s overall AQI has remained consistently high, underscoring the continuing air pollution crisis.
According to the AQI scale, a reading between 0 and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 to 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 to 200 ‘moderate’, 201 to 300 ‘poor’, 301 to 400 ‘very poor’, and 401 to 450 ‘severe’. Any reading above 450 is classified as ‘severe-plus’.
At present, multiple areas across the capital are still grappling with hazardous air conditions, with prominent localities such as Alipur (356), Anand Vihar (351), Ashok Vihar (353), and Bawana (383) continuing to show AQI values well above the ‘very poor’ threshold.
CAQM’s Intensified Actions
In response to the deteriorating air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has ramped up efforts to combat pollution. A recent meeting chaired by the CAQM Chairperson highlighted the importance of stringent actions to curb pollution from vehicles, particularly older, highly polluting end-of-life (EoL) vehicles. The focus is on removing petrol vehicles older than 15 years and diesel vehicles older than 10 years from Delhi’s roads, which are significant contributors to the city’s air pollution.
The CAQM has also emphasized the need for stronger enforcement of air quality measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which includes stricter checks and penalties for violations. The Commission stressed that the success of these measures depends on immediate and firm actions against violators at every level of governance.
Additionally, the CAQM has called for a more proactive approach in responding to public complaints about air pollution, as delays in addressing issues have been seen as a barrier to effective management.
MCD to Encourage Public Transport Use
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has been tasked with reviewing the city’s parking fee structure to discourage private vehicle usage and encourage the adoption of public transportation. The review aims to make public transport more attractive to residents, thereby reducing the number of vehicles on the road and subsequently cutting down on pollution.
The air quality situation remains dire in multiple parts of the city, with AQI readings from various localities showing the extent of the crisis. Key areas such as Jahangirpuri (370), Dwarka Sector 8 (341), and Rohini (366) are experiencing hazardous air levels, while even more central areas like ITO (328) and IGI Airport (326) are still recording unhealthy AQI figures.
Health Advisory for Delhi Residents
Health experts continue to advise Delhi residents to stay indoors as much as possible, especially children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions. People are urged to wear N95 masks when stepping outside and limit outdoor activities.
The authorities have also urged industries and construction activities to comply with air pollution mitigation norms to reduce dust and emissions. The public is being reminded of the importance of contributing to efforts aimed at reducing pollution, whether through reducing vehicle use or supporting greener alternatives.
Despite the ongoing challenges, the steps taken by the CAQM and MCD mark a critical push toward improving Delhi’s air quality. However, experts warn that lasting solutions will require sustained efforts and systemic changes to curb the sources of pollution, particularly from vehicles and industrial emissions.