Double attack of pollution and cold in Delhi, AQI crosses 450 in many areas

Delhi Pollution: Pollution is once again wreaking havoc in Delhi's air. The air quality has reached very poor category and Delhi's AQI was recorded at 418 on Tuesday. The situation started deteriorating from Monday night itself and the air quality is continuously declining. In view of this, the fourth phase of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has been implemented.

Red zone in 29 areas of Delhi: AQI crosses 400

The air quality has crossed 400 in 29 major areas of Delhi, which have been placed in the red zone.

Alipur: AQI- 449

Anand Vihar: AQI- 465

Ashok Vihar: AQI- 456

Bawana: AQI- 465

Burari Crossing: AQI- 447

Mathura Road: AQI- 429

Karni Singh: AQI- 401

DTU (Delhi Technological University): AQI- 447

Dwarka Sector-8: AQI- 427

ITO: AQI- 434

Jahangirpuri: AQI- 466

Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium: AQI- 412

Major Dhyanchand Stadium: AQI- 426

Mandir Marg: AQI- 412

Apart from this, Mundka, Narela, Nehru Nagar, North Campus, Okhla Phase-2, Punjabi Bagh, Pusa, RK Puram, Rohini, Shadipur, Sonia Vihar, Vivek Vihar, and AQI is also at dangerous levels in areas like Wazirpur.

Areas with some relief: AQI between 300 and 400

The situation is slightly better in some areas, but still the air quality is in the poor category.

NSIT Dwarka: AQI- 288

Dilshad Garden: AQI- 316

Lodhi Garden: AQI- 310

Lodhi Road: AQI- 361

Najafgarh: AQI- 357

Sirifort: AQI- 390

Sri Aurobindo Marg: AQI- 376

Aya Nagar: AQI- 353

Strict rules of GRAP-4 implemented

In view of this serious level of pollution, strict rules have been implemented under GRAP-4. As per the order of the Ministry of Environment, the following restrictions have come into effect as soon as GRAP-4 came into force:

Complete ban on construction works and demolition: All government and private construction activities have been stopped.

Ban on entry of non-essential trucks: Except for essential goods, the entry of all other trucks into Delhi has been banned.

Ban on public projects: All public projects related to construction have been halted for the time being.

Situation is worrying due to pollution

The increasing level of pollution is seriously affecting the health of Delhiites. Complaints like difficulty in breathing, eye irritation and allergies are increasing continuously. Experts say that due to low wind speed and cold in this season, pollution particles (PM 2.5 and PM 10) remain in the air for a longer time, due to which the AQI is continuously deteriorating.

Government appeal

The government has appealed to the general public to take the following steps to avoid pollution:

Use a mask while going out of the house.

Reduce the use of vehicles and use public transport.

Avoid open burning of garbage and construction activities.

Conclusion

The problem of pollution in Delhi has now become an annual crisis. Despite the implementation of GRAP-4 rules, a long-term and effective strategy is needed to control pollution. In the continuously deteriorating situation, the government, administration and the general public will have to take steps against pollution together, so that the air of the capital can be made breathable.