With Delhi transforming into a gas chamber due to the ongoing decline in air quality, with several regions recording ‘Severe’ levels on Friday. Residents in Delhi and neighbouring areas woke up to another day of smog, marking the eight consecutive days of air pollution in a very poor category. Visibility was also reduced due to swallow fog in several areas. PM2.5 concentration stood at 31.7 times the World Health Organization annual PM2.5 guideline value.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) at 7 am, the peak AQI in the city reached 441, whereas the average AQI noted was 380 at 4 pm. Several areas of Delhi including Bawana (440), Mundka (428), New Moti Bagh (427), Rohini (439), Punjabi Bagh (406), and RK Puram (406) witnessed an AQI of over 400, as per data from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR). For comparison, the AQI was 366 on Thursday morning, increasing to 377 by 4 PM. On Wednesday at the same hour, it was 352. The persistent air pollution coincided with chhath puja celebrations.
At present, the major contributors to PM2.5 pollution are local and regional sources. The transport sector is the most significant contributor at 11.049 percent, as per the Decision Support System data by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM). While the residential sector contribution is 2. 872 percent, industries contributed 2.637 percent, construction 1. 492 percent, energy sector 1. 376 percent, waste burning 1.053 percent, and road dust 0.82 percent.
Local pollution sources in Delhi account for 30.34 percent of the city’s air pollution (50.1 percent of which is contributed through transportation), while 34.97 percent originates from neighbouring NCR districts and 27.94 percent from other areas.
According to Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi, mainly smog condition 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 8. “The maximum mixing depth of wind was recorded 1750 m on Friday. 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.
To curb rising air pollution in the national capital, the Delhi government on Friday conducted a testing of 'drone-based mist spraying' at Anand Vihar, one of the city's pollution hotspots. During the demonstration, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that pollution levels in the hotspots are higher than the average AQI in the capital. "Today's demonstration in Anand Vihar -- a known pollution hotspot -- aims to address this issue," Rai said.
Currently, more than 200 anti-smog guns are deployed across Delhi, spraying water along the roads to reduce airborne dust, he added. "However, areas with narrow roadsides or congested spots where trucks cannot reach pose unique challenges. This is where drones can be particularly effective," he said.
The minister added that if the trial proves successful, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) may consider acquiring more drones for widespread deployment. "If we get promising results of today's testing, we will move forward with formal tenders for procuring additional drones," Rai said.
