The upcoming two weeks, which include Dussehra, Deepawali, and agricultural fires, are crucial for the city, according to Gopal Rai, the environment minister for Delhi.
Delhi has the most poisonous air in the world, and it is believed that stubble burning, car pollution, construction, and coal-fired power plants are the main causes of this danger.
The air quality index for the nation’s capital increased to 346 early on Monday, making it the highest among the 110 global cities that IQ Air monitors. Mumbai, India’s financial hub, has an AQI of 177, according to Bloomberg.
The decline in air quality occurs when Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is being implemented by the subcommittee of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). The Delhi government executes GRAP in stages, taking measures like prohibiting building work and, depending on the severity of the crisis, closing educational facilities.
According to Anju Goel, an air quality research fellow at The Energy and Resources Institute, the low AQI was caused by a dip in temperature and slow wind speeds, which had an impact on the pollution’s ability to disperse.
According to data from IQ Air, Delhi had particle matter (PM 2.5) readings of 296 micrograms per cubic meter of air, which is about 20 times the WHO’s recommended standard of 15.
In the ‘ very poor’ category, the capital’s air quality index at 4 p.m. was 313, according to statistics from the Central Pollution Control Board.
Agriculture fires in the areas surrounding the capital have decreased significantly over the past five years, according to Sunil Dahiya, an analyst with the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, but other sources of pollution, such as those from construction and inefficient cooking stoves, are getting worse due to population growth.
“Power plants that are located close to the capital were obligated to install pollution controls, but the majority still haven’t done so because of insufficient enforcement. Dahiya predicts that things will get worse if better regulation and compliance are not put into place.
The following two weeks are critical, according to a minister in Delhi.
The upcoming two weeks, which include Dussehra, Deepawali, and farm fires, are critical for the capital, according to Gopal Rai, the minister of environment for Delhi. In order to guarantee that pollution mitigation measures are implemented effectively, the minister presided over a review meeting with 28 departments on Monday. In addition to the 13 recognized pollution hotspots in the city, he claimed the administration had found an additional eight.
We are concentrating on eight locations where the AQI is above the 300 mark, in addition to the 13 current air pollution hotspots in Delhi. Following the meeting, the minister addressed a news conference. Shadipur, ITO, Mandir Marg, Nehru Nagar, Patparganj, Sonia Vihar, Dhyan Chand Stadium, and Moti Bagh are a few of these locations.
“In order to reduce dust pollution, instructions have been given to utilize dust suppressant powder in anti-smog guns. More field visits will be made, and the anti-dust campaign will be increased, he said.
According to Rai, diesel generator sets will be subject to punishment; however, DG sets utilized for emergency services are excluded.