The air quality index (AQI) in Delhi remained in the "very poor" category with an average AQI of 352 on Saturday, marking the ninth consecutive day of smog due to calm wind, and local factors including vehicular emissions. The AQI is likely to worsen in the coming days as per the forecast by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Meanwhile, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has held a meeting with Delhi Chief Secretary and directed to intensify efforts to remove highly polluting end-of-life (EoL) vehicles (petrol vehicles older than 15 years and diesel vehicles older than 10 years) that are still in use in Delhi
The PM2.5 concentration is currently 32 times the World Health Organization (WHO) annual PM2.5 guideline value. The transport sector is the most significant contributor at 11.43 per cent, as per the Decision Support System data by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM). While the residential sector contribution is 2. 872 per cent, industries contributed 2.537 per cent, construction 1. 492 per cent, energy sector 1. 317 per cent, waste burning 1.043 per cent, and road dust 0.82 per cent.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), numerous areas across Delhi still registered AQI levels between 370 and 400, with some zones even surpassing the 400 mark. Nehru Nagar recorded AQI at 431, New Moti Bagh at 411 and Bhawana at 409. In contrast, other locations like Dilshad Garden (220) and Chandni Chowk (257) reported relatively lower AQI readings.
According to the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi, mainly smog conditions with predominant surface wind from variable directions with wind speed reaching 04-06 kmph prevailed during daytime and calm winds during night. Predicted maximum mixing depth is likely to be 1900 m on November 9. "The maximum mixing depth of wind was recorded at 1750 m on Saturday. The ventilation index lower than 6000 m2/s with average wind speed less than 10 kmph is unfavourable for dispersion of pollutants. Meteorological conditions are likely to be extremely unfavourable for dispersion of pollutants," it said.
The CAQM meeting also focused on strict discipline and measures to guard against unauthorised/ haphazard parking of private vehicles on metaled roads, markets, public spaces etc. leading to vehicular congestion and high levels of pollution, particularly in winters and called for strict action against violators including for violations of Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate regime.
Delhi has been witnessing high levels of air pollution for the past few weeks which has been primarily blamed on stubble-burning in neighbouring states, Diwali fireworks and low wind speed.
Notably, the Centre for Science and Environment has claimed that vehicular pollution is the main reason for Delhi pollution. Interestingly, the National Capital Region is currently experiencing four degrees above normal temperature due to no snowfall in the Himalayan region and lack of Western disturbances. The year 2023 was also the warmest year in 73 years.
The Commission has called for a more proactive approach to addressing complaints, saying that delays in resolving issues hinder the effective implementation of air quality management measures.
The AQI classifications are as follows: 0-50 is 'good,' 51-100 is 'satisfactory,' 101-200 is 'moderate,' 201-300 is 'poor,' 301-400 is 'very poor,' and 401-500 is 'severe.' On Friday, it had reached 380, on a scale 0-500, which was the worst of this season as of now.The AQI had reached 390 at 10 am, 387 by noon, and settled at 382 by 3 pm, which increased the concerns of the residents and health officials.
