Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Monday raised an alarm over the severe air pollution engulfing a large swathe of North India, describing the situation as a “medical emergency” caused by rampant stubble burning in several “Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled” states. Experts have advised citizens to reduce outdoor activities, minimise exposure, wear N95 masks when outside, and decrease vehicular emissions, to minimise the impact of pollution in their day-to-day lives. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a warning for dense to very dense fog, saying road, train and flight services may get affected.
Fifteen flights were diverted, and around 200 were delayed at the Delhi airport on Monday as visibility reduces to 150 metres due to unfavourable weather conditions in the National Capital. Flight operations in Delhi faced disruptions on Monday as thick smog reduced visibility significantly at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA). According to Flightradar24, over 200 flights, 118 departures and 43 arrivals, at Delhi Airport experienced delays due to the low visibility till 8.30 am. More than 100 flights have been rescheduled. Out of the 15 flights, 13 were diverted to Jaipur and 1 to Dehradun, the official said and added that the diversions happened between 8.30 am and 3 pm. Some of the pilots were not trained for CAT III operations due to which flights had to be diverted.
Complying with the measures enforced under GRAP Stage IV, the Delhi traffic police imposed a total of 4,852 challans and 4,472 challans on the non-possession of Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates on November 15 and 17 respectively. It also imposed 138 and 155 challans on End of Life Vehicles (ELVs) on November 15 and 17 respectively.
The police also diverted 423 non-destined trucks on November 15 while the numbers were higher for November 17 as 545 such trucks were diverted in Delhi. In adherence to the measures, the police also imposed challans on 514 Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) (BS III petrol and BS IV diesel) on November 15. The numbers rose about 100 per cent on November 17 as 1,130 such LMVs were issued challans.
Meanwhile, the Delhi government has directed the health department to form a special task force at Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital to handle medical emergencies related to the pollution. As Delhiites struggle to breathe, traders said the demand for air purifiers and masks have increased as many residents see the equipment as a necessity to safeguard their health.
A toxic smog blanketed the city, affecting visibility as the air quality deteriorated sharply, falling into the ‘severe plus’ category with an AQI of 494 on Monday, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) website. The toxic air has disrupted flight, rail and road traffic services in the National Capital.
Addressing a press conference, Atishi accused the BJP-led central government, instead of addressing the crisis, is focussed on political blame games. Punjab on Monday reported 1,251 fresh farm fire cases, the single-day highest this season, taking the state’s total count of such cases to 9,655, Punjab Remote Sensing Centre data showed.
“North India is choking because of the Modi government’s inaction. Stubble burning incidents have escalated in BJP-ruled states like Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh, while AAP-governed Punjab has registered a decline,” Atishi said. She pointed to official data and claimed that the reduction in incidents of stubble burning in AAP-ruled Punjab demonstrates effective governance, unlike the approach seen in states governed by the BJP.
Atishi criticised the central government’s handling of the situation, stating, “The people of Delhi are struggling to breathe, with the elderly and children needing medical support due to the severe pollution. Instead of taking action, the central government is busy playing politics, pushing the entire region towards a health crisis.” She questioned why the central government had not taken steps similar to those implemented in Punjab.
“If the Punjab government can reduce stubble burning, why can’t BJP-ruled states do the same? The rising pollution levels across North India highlight the failure of the central government’s policies,” Atishi added.
In a separate press conference, Environment Minister Gopal Rai said the Delhi government has directed the health department to form a special task force at LNJP Hospital to handle medical emergencies related to the pollution. “I have directed the health department to form a special task force at LNJP Hospital to address medical emergencies,” Rai said. “If the central government had collaborated and acted in a timely manner, people in Delhi wouldn’t have to face these hazardous conditions,” he said.
Meanwhile, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) school teachers accused the administration of neglecting their health by forcing them to come to school to take online classes amid deteriorating air quality.
