Residents of the National Capital Region (NCR) woke up to a cold morning with a minimum temperature of 11.3 degrees Celsius on Friday. The air quality also plunged to a ‘severe category’ reaching an AQI of 401 by the evening, as a clear sky and bright sun failed to neutralise the cocktail of slow winds, dipping temperatures. Out of 38 monitoring stations in the city, 19 have already reported AQI levels in the “Severe” category. Jahangirpuri recorded the highest AQI at 445. By the evening fog engulfed the National Capital, reducing visibility which led to disruption of road, rail and flight operations.
This November, Delhi has already seen seven “severe” pollution days. Last year’s winter experienced four similar episodes. An AQI of 400 or higher is classified as “severe” and poses significant health risks. The PM2.5 concentration is currently 68.1 times the World Health Organization annual PM2.5 guideline value.
However, Delhi still ranked as the second most polluted city in the country, only behind Bihar’s Hajipur (AQI 403). While Delhi’s AQI was the worst in the country on Monday and Tuesday, with readings exceeding 450 in the “severe plus” category, it recorded the third-worst ranking on Wednesday before moving to the second place on Thursday. Earlier in the season, favourable conditions such as strong wind speeds and easterly winds contributed to better air quality. However, these same conditions are now linked to high Air Quality Index (AQI) readings.
According to SAFAR-India, Alipur recorded an AQI of 389, while Anand Vihar recorded 410, Ashok Vihar 395, Bawana 411, Burari Crossing 369, Dwarka Sector 8 380, IGI Airport 357, ITO 344, Jahangirpuri 426, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium 342, Lodhi Road 267, Mandir Marg 356, Mundka 402, Najafgarh 353, Narela 383, North Campus DU 346, Okhla Phase 2 374, RK Puram 372, Rohini 397, Shadipur 402, Siri Fort 359, Vivek Vihar 398, and Wazirpur 413 among others.
The Decision Support System for Air Quality Management in Delhi pointed out the transport sector as the most significant contributor at 15. 16 per cent. While the residential sector contribution is 3. 123 per cent, industries contributed 2.877 per cent, construction 2. 148 per cent, energy sector 1. 727 per cent, waste burning 1.348 per cent, and road dust 1.502 per cent.
Keeping in view of restrictions imposed by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) under the stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan, the roads in Delhi witnessed reduction in traffic on most roads and intersections due to banning entry of trucks, BS 3 and BS 4 vehicles, staggering timings of government offices and work from home facilities.
The city roads, which are usually jammed with the traffic flow especially in peak hours, were visibly deserted. Addl/CP (Traffic) Satyaveer Singh Katara stated that the effect of these instructions including work from home for government employees and schools being shifted to online mode is evident as there has been about 25 per cent of reduction of traffic in Delhi. “The reduction is also helping in bringing down the aqi as is visible,” he said.
Further, complying to the orders of Supreme Court to the Delhi Police to ensure vigilance at entry points in the city for trucks, the officer added that they have deployed teams of traffic personnel at 13 different points including Badarpur, Ghazipur, Singhu border, Tikri border, Loni and Rangpuri border.
