Delhi’s air quality took a turn for the worse on Monday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) surpassing 400 in several parts of the city, signalling a shift into the "severe" category. This comes after a spike in pollution levels was recorded on Sunday.
According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), multiple monitoring stations recorded AQI levels above 400 at 7 a.m., including Anand Vihar (433), Wazirpur (414), Jahangirpuri (413), Rohini (409), and Punjabi Bagh (404).
Other areas in the national capital fell into the "very poor" category. The deteriorating air quality is attributed to unfavourable meteorological conditions, including calm winds and low temperatures, which have hindered the dispersion of pollutants.
"Meteorological conditions are likely to be extremely unfavourable for the dispersion of pollutants," the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi (EWS) said on Sunday.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast mist or smog during the early hours from Monday to Wednesday, with wind speeds expected to remain below 10 kmph, potentially exacerbating the situation.
On Sunday, Delhi recorded the season's worst AQI reading of 382, worsening from 316 the previous day.
To combat the rising pollution levels, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has taken several measures, including the implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The agency also imposed penalties on construction sites, vehicles, and industries that violated pollution norms.
The agency ordered the closure of 56 construction and demolition sites and fined 597 sites that failed to meet pollution control norms between October 15 and October 31. As many as 54,000 vehicles without valid pollution-under-control certificates were penalised, and over 3,900 vehicles older than the prescribed age limit were impounded.
Efforts to combat pollution also included a crackdown on illegal waste dumping, with over 5,300 inspections conducted and actions taken against violators.
To control road dust, CAQM has deployed mechanical road-sweeping machines, water sprinklers, and anti-smog guns across the National Capital Region (NCR), with around 600 sprinklers and anti-smog guns used daily.
Source: India Today