It is that time of the year when Delhi is hitting the headlines again for poor air quality posing severe health hazards for the residents. The national capital is currently experiencing alarming levels of air pollution, with the Air Quality Index exceeding 1500 as a result of which, the central government has imposed Stage-4 restrictions under Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) from Monday, 18th November. The decision was taken by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), the Centre’s panel monitoring Delhi-NCR air quality.
A blanket of toxic smog covered Delhi on Monday morning as Air Quality Index (AQI) levels breached the 1,500 mark in several areas, which led to the implementation of GRAP Stage-4. Residents have been advised to stay indoors, use N95 masks while stepping outdoors, and avoid exhausting physical activities, while all schools have been temporarily advised to stop offline classes, keeping in mind the potential health hazards for students.
Online classes for all Delhi schools
Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi has announced that classes will be held online in the national capital for all schools starting on Monday due to the imposition of GRAP Stage-4. This will be applicable to all classes except standards 10 and 12 who will continue to have offline classes until further announcement.
“All the Heads of government, government aided and unaided private recognised schools of DoE, MCD, NDMC and DCB in Delhi are hereby directed to ensure that the physical classes for all students upto (sic) class nine and class eleven is (sic) to be discontinued from November 18 until further orders,” according to a circular issued by the Directorate of Education.
GRAP Stage-4 and restrictions
The Graded Response Action Plan is a four-stage protocol to fight the air pollution issue in Delhi-NCR. Stage-4 includes putting a temporary halt to construction and demolition activities, encouraging work-from-home protocols in Delhi-NCR, temporarily stopping operations at non-essential industrial units, restricting diesel generators and non-BS VI diesel vehicles (ban on entry of trucks) and conducting campaigns to raise awareness among the residents. Stage-4 of the Graded Response Action Plan is the most severe level, which is implemented after Air Quality Index (AQI) crosses the 450 mark.
According to the order, no trucks will be allowed into Delhi except for those carrying essential items or using clean fuel (LNG/CNG/BS-VI diesel/electric). Non-essential light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi will also be prohibited, except for EVs and CNG and BS-VI diesel ones. Delhi-registered BS-IV or older diesel medium and heavy goods vehicles are banned, except for those in essential services, the order said.
Most affected areas, low-visibility
On Monday morning, Delhi’s air quality turned hazardous ranging from 1,300 to 1,600 as revealed by Swiss air technology firm IQAir. The most affected areas include Mundka, Dwarka Sector-8, Rohini, Najafgarh, Pooth Khurd, Vivek Vihar and Narela among others. Continued exposure to hazardous air quality can impact the health of the residents severely making them susceptible to respiratory and cardiovascular issues.
Meanwhile, the Delhi International Airport has issued a low-visibility advisory, which reads, “Low visibility procedures are in progress at Delhi Airport. All flight operations are presently normal. Passengers are advised to contact the concerned airline for updated flight information.”
Atishi, Chief Minister, Delhi
CM Atishi criticizes Centre
Criticizing the Centre over the air quality situation across Delhi and North India caused by stubble burning during this time of the year, Delhi CM Atishi tweeted on Monday, “All of North India has been plunged into a medical emergency as stubble burning continues unchecked across the country. All cities across the country – in UP, Bihar, Rajasthan, Haryana, MP and Delhi – are reeling under severe levels of pollution. And yet despite rising severity of stubble burning across India for last 5 years, the Central Govt has taken no concrete step to curb the same. All of North India is paying the price for this, especially children and elderly who are struggling to breathe…”
Schools shut in Haryana, Mumbai Air Quality worsens
Amid rising air pollution levels, the Government of Haryana has announced the temporary closure of all schools up to class 5. The government is planning to implement online classes in both government and private schools.
Meanwhile, Mumbai woke up to a thick layer of smog on Monday morning with the Air Quality Index (AQI) at 147 in the ‘moderate’ category.
