Delhi remains engulfed in hazardous smog as its air quality index (AQI) stays in the “severe” category for the third consecutive day, registering a reading of 498. The city is now ranked the second most polluted globally, trailing only Lahore, Pakistan, which recorded an AQI of 770 at 7 a.m., according to IQAir, a Swiss organization monitoring PM2.5 levels. Among Delhi’s most polluted areas are Jahangirpuri (AQI 458), Bawana (455), Wazirpur (455), Rohini (452), and Punjabi Bagh (443), as per the Central Pollution Control Board’s Sameer app.
The smog has reduced visibility to as low as 500 meters in Palam and 400 meters in Safdarjung, disrupting flight and rail operations across the region. IndiGo flights to and from Amritsar and SpiceJet flights connecting Delhi and Darbhanga faced delays. Additionally, over 25 trains arriving at New Delhi railway station were reported late, with delays exceeding two hours for many others.
In response to the deteriorating air quality, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi announced that all primary schools would shift to online classes until further notice. This measure aims to safeguard children from the health hazards of prolonged exposure to polluted air.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has enforced Stage 3 of the Graded Action Response Plan (GRAP) to combat the crisis. Key restrictions under GRAP 3 include:
- A ban on non-essential construction and demolition activities.
- Prohibition of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in Delhi and parts of the NCR, including Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Noida.
- Restricted use of diesel generator sets, except for emergencies.
- A ban on industrial operations using non-approved fuels.
- Intensified mechanized road sweeping and water sprinkling to reduce dust.
- Increased public transport services to discourage private vehicle use.
- Restrictions on construction material transport on unpaved roads.
Doctors have urged residents to stay indoors and limit outdoor activities, especially during peak pollution hours in the early morning and evening. Dr. Sukrit Singh Sethi of Narayana Hospital highlighted the systemic impact of polluted air, linking it to gastrointestinal, metabolic, and cardiovascular conditions caused by inflammation and oxidative stress.
Health experts recommend wearing masks in highly polluted areas and minimizing physical activity outdoors to reduce exposure to the toxic air. As Delhi grapples with this escalating crisis, the need for long-term environmental solutions becomes ever more urgent.
