Delhi air quality once again plummets to unbreathable ‘severe’ category despite GRAP IV

You may not be a smoker but you are still smoking 10 cigarettes a day if you happen to be in Delhi. This is what the doctors have to say about Delhi pollution. The capital witnessed a sharp decline in air quality on Wednesday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) crossing the 400 mark and entering the ‘severe’ category once again. This alarming situation unfolded despite the implementation of Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which entails stringent anti-pollution measures. Monitoring Stations Report Severe-Plus AQI Out of the 37 monitoring stations listed on the Sameer app. These figures highlight the widespread and acute nature of air pollution across the city. GRAP, a tiered system of air quality management, categorises air quality into four stages based on AQI levels: Stage I (Poor, AQI 201-300) Stage II (Very Poor, AQI 301-400) Stage III (Severe, AQI 401-450) Stage IV (Severe Plus, AQI above 450) Under Stage IV, measures such as a complete ban on construction and demolition activities, including public infrastructure projects and the prohibition of diesel trucks carrying non-essential items entering Delhi are enforced. Offices—public, municipal and private—are advised to reduce staff attendance to 50 per cent, with the rest working from home. Additional measures like the closure of colleges, non-essential businesses and odd-even vehicular restrictions are considered during such extreme conditions. Despite these restrictions, Delhi’s air quality has continued to deteriorate, raising questions about the efficacy and enforcement of these measures.

However, experts feel that it is more due to metrological conditions and not a failure of GRAP.  They attribute the sudden spike in pollution levels to unfavourable meteorological conditions, particularly a significant drop in wind speeds. The stagnation allows local pollutants to accumulate, exacerbating the already critical air quality. During winters, Delhi’s air pollution crisis is compounded by a combination of factors. Vehicle emissions is a primary contributor to the city’s air pollution. Besides vehicular pollution, paddy straw burning adds to the pollution burden. Factories emit significant quantities of pollutants. But right now it is the dip in temperatures. During winters heavy air traps pollutants near the ground, creating a thick layer of smog. The hazardous air quality in Delhi poses severe health risks to its residents. Prolonged exposure can lead to respiratory ailments, cardiovascular issues and other chronic conditions. Vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions, are at the highest risk. This is not the first time Delhi’s air quality has entered the severe-plus category this season. In November, similar conditions led to the imposition of GRAP Stage IV. The recurrence of severe pollution highlights the cyclical nature of Delhi’s air quality crisis, driven by a mix of local and regional factors. Unfortunately, authorities lack a comprehensive plan to address the issue, relying instead on knee-jerk reactions and ineffective quick fixes.