Delhi's Struggle For Clean Air Continues With 'Severe' AQI In Many Areas

Delhi continues to battle the pollution menace as air quality was still in the 'severe' category in many parts of the national capital on Sunday morning.

An anti-smog gun being used to spray water droplets to curb air pollution in New Delhi

Source : PTI

Delhi continues its battle with air pollution as the national capital woke up to 'very poor' air with an overall air quality index (AQI) of 389, while many parts were still in the 'severe' category on Sunday morning. This comes after Delhi Minister Gopal Rai said that the stringent curbs lifted after a drop in pollution levels could again be imposed if people did not comply with pollution-related guidelines leading to a spike in pollution levels.

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said, "Supreme Court had given directions regarding actions to be taken on the ground level for a reduction in Delhi air pollution. The government is working on it with full force. I would also like to tell the people of Delhi that the pollution in north India as of today includes very few incidents of stubble burning...Now, pollution is rising in the north NCR area due to local pollution sources. I would like to urge that the manner in which GRAP III has been strictly implemented in Delhi, there should be regular monitoring in NCR too. The contribution of biomass burning is visible because the current pollution is due to local sources. It is coming from NCR to Delhi. I think we have to make a collective effort and the weather changes also provide a scope for improvement in the air quality."

However, Delhi did witness a marginal improvement even with a 'very poor' AQI, but monitoring agencies are hopeful of further relief starting Sunday due to a western disturbance. As Delhi battles the menace, which has become a recurring issue during this time of the year, the national capital recorded at least 10 days of 'severe' air quality days in November so far compared to three recorded last year in the same month and 12 such days were seen in 2021. According to data provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the capital recorded nine 'severe' days in November 2010, seven in 2019, five in 2018, seven in 2017, 10 in 2016 and six in 2015.

According to a forecast by an India Meteorological Department (IMD) scientist, Delhiites are likely to get a brief respite from the gruelling conditions with an expected improvement in meteorological conditions due to the western disturbance which might affect northwest India starting Sunday.

Delhi's gradual improvement started a day after the Centre lifted the anti-pollution cubs last Sunday. However, soon after the easing, the national capital started recording a spike in air pollution. The curbs imposed by the Centre included a ban on construction and entry of trucks among others. The drop in the pollution was caused by favourable wind speed and direction.

The matter has also reached the Supreme Court which came down heavily on the state governments of Delhi, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, directing them to take action to immediately stop stubble burning -- a leading cause behind air pollution in the national capital. The court has also asked the Delhi and the UP governments to file an action taken report. The court also said the blame game would not work.

"Ghaziabad will say Loni, Loni will say Ghaziabad. Delhi will say UP, and UP will say Delhi. Whether it's one km here or there, people are suffering. That's the bottom line... Waste continues to be burnt in the open. This is a problem both in UP and in Delhi... We expect both UP and Delhi to take action and file a report before us," the court said.