Delhi's Choking Crisis Continues: Air Quality Hits ‘Severe’ For 11th Time In NovemberTackle Crisis

In a grim revelation, Delhi's air quality plunged into the 'severe' category for the fourth consecutive day on Saturday morning, marking the 11th such day in November, as reported by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 404, sounding alarm bells for the national capital grappling with a severe pollution crisis.

Detailed data from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR-India) painted a concerning picture, showcasing varying pollution levels across specific areas within Delhi. Pusa Road recorded an AQI of 395, IIT Delhi at 385, and Lodhi Road at 378, all categorized as 'very poor.' However, Delhi University faced a more severe situation with an AQI of 416, and the air quality at the Delhi IGI Airport Terminal 3 reached a critical level of 432.

The crisis extended beyond Delhi's borders, affecting neighbouring cities with Ghaziabad (AQI 424), Greater Noida (AQI 398), Gurugram (AQI 345), Noida (AQI 393), and Faridabad (AQI 426) also witnessing air quality levels ranging from 'very poor' to 'severe' on Saturday.

A joint project by the Delhi government and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur, revealed that biomass burning took centre stage as the primary contributor to the city's deteriorating air quality, accounting for a staggering 51% of the capital's air pollution on Friday. In contrast, vehicular emissions constituted a comparatively lower 3% of pollution levels on the same day.

Responding to the crisis, Environment Minister Gopal Rai chaired a high-level meeting on Friday. Officials from the Environment Department and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee were directed to enforce a strict ban on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles in the city. The Transport Department and Traffic Police received instructions to ensure the rigorous implementation of the ban, signalling a proactive step towards curbing vehicular emissions.

In a potential silver lining, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted temporary relief in meteorological conditions in northwest India due to the influence of an approaching western disturbance expected to commence on Sunday. This development raised hopes for a respite from the severe pollution levels that have gripped the region.

Last year, Delhi experienced just three severe air quality days in November, while 2021 witnessed an unprecedented 12 such days, the highest in the month since CPCB started monitoring. November 2020 saw nine such days, while in 2019 there were seven, in 2018 there were five, and in 2017 there were seven. In 2016, the count was ten, and in 2015 it stood at six, highlighting a concerning trend of worsening air quality over the years.

As Delhi battles this escalating environmental crisis, urgent and concerted efforts are needed to address the root causes of pollution and safeguard the health and well-being of the residents.