Delhi continues to grapple with severe air pollution, with the air quality index (AQI) reaching alarming levels for the third consecutive day. As the national capital remains covered in a thick blanket of smog, authorities have taken stringent measures to curb pollution, including shifting primary schools to online classes and enforcing new restrictions under the Graded Action Response Plan (GRAP).
AQI Reaches Hazardous Levels
According to Swiss air technology company IQAir, Delhi’s AQI for today has spiked to 498, making it the world’s second most polluted city after Lahore, Pakistan, which recorded an AQI of 770 at 7 am. The city’s pollution has reached such dangerous levels that it is causing significant health risks to residents.
The top five most polluted areas in Delhi this morning included Jahangirpuri (AQI 458), Bawana (455), Wazirpur (455), Rohini (452), and Punjabi Bagh (443), according to the Central Pollution Control Board’s Sameer App. As a result, visibility has drastically reduced in key areas, with Palam and Safdurjung reporting only 500m and 400m visibility, respectively.
Disruption to Transport Services
The dense smog has severely disrupted air and rail traffic, with multiple flights delayed due to low visibility. Several IndiGo flights to and from Amritsar, as well as SpiceJet flights to and from Delhi and Darbanga, have faced significant delays. Train services have also been hit, with over 25 trains arriving at New Delhi railway station delayed by more than two hours.
Restrictions Under GRAP Stage 3
In response to the worsening air quality, Delhi’s Chief Minister Atishi announced that all primary schools in the city would shift to online classes until further notice. Additionally, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) enforced Stage 3 of the Graded Action Response Plan (GRAP), which imposes several restrictions to combat pollution.
Key measures under Stage 3 include:
- A ban on non-essential construction and demolition work.
- A ban on the operation of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in Delhi and surrounding NCR regions like Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Noida.
- Restricted use of diesel generators for emergency purposes only.
- Increased public transport services and off-peak travel promotions.
- Suspension of major welding and gas-cutting operations, along with the restriction on construction activities.
- Intensified road cleaning and water sprinkling to suppress dust.
Health Hazards
The “severe” AQI has raised significant health concerns, as long-term exposure to such pollution can cause serious harm, particularly to individuals with pre-existing health conditions. Doctors are urging residents to stay indoors as much as possible. Health experts have also warned of the impact on gastrointestinal health due to air pollution.
Dr. Sukrit Singh Sethi, Consultant – Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Liver Transplantation at Narayana Hospital, Gurugram, explained the alarming effects on gut health. “The harmful particles and gases in polluted air, when inhaled, can lead to systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, disturbing gut health and the microbiome, which plays a critical role in digestion, immunity, and overall health,” Dr. Sethi told IANS.
As Delhi continues to battle toxic air, residents and officials alike are bracing for further challenges while hoping that the implementation of strict measures will help alleviate the crisis in the coming days.
Sources By Agencies