Delhi’s AQI remains “very poor” as winter smog sets in : Valley Vision

As winter approaches, Delhi is blanketed by a thin layer of smog, with the city’s air quality index (AQI) persisting in the “very poor” category.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi recorded AQI levels above 300 in multiple areas at 7 AM on Monday, November 4, 2024.

The CPCB classifies AQI levels between 301 and 400 as “very poor” and 401-450 as “severe.” Severe AQI levels can impact even healthy individuals and have severe effects on those with pre-existing conditions. Prolonged exposure to “very poor” AQI levels can lead to respiratory illnesses.

The System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) predicts that Delhi’s air quality will remain in the “very poor” category from November 4 to November 6. Additionally, toxic foam was observed floating on the Yamuna River in Kalindi Kunj due to high pollution levels.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi’s maximum temperature reached 33.2 degrees Celsius, 2.7 degrees above normal, with humidity fluctuating between 64% and 95% during the day. The IMD forecast also anticipated shallow fog on Monday morning, with maximum and minimum temperatures expected at 34 and 17 degrees Celsius, respectively.

Focusing on the severe air quality issue in Anand Vihar, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi identified the influx of buses from Uttar Pradesh as a significant contributor to pollution in the area, emphasizing the need for discussions with the UP government.

Environment Minister Gopal Rai further raised concerns, claiming that emissions from these buses were “doubling the pollution” in the national capital. He urged the UP government to undertake water sprinkling at the Kaushambi bus depot.

Meanwhile, authorities in Delhi-NCR have taken stringent measures, fining thousands of vehicle and construction site owners for breaching pollution restrictions.

According to Reuters, more than 7,500 construction sites and nearly 60,000 vehicles were fined, with the Commission for Air Quality Management revealing that over 54,000 vehicles lacked pollution under control (PUC) certificates and over 3,900 more were impounded as “overaged.” Environmental compensation was imposed on 597 sites, with 56 sites ordered to halt operations.