NEW DELHI: Delhi-NCR woke up on Sunday under a dense blanket of toxic smog, with visibility dropping sharply and the air quality plunging to the most hazardous levels recorded this year. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) touched an alarming 491 at 7 am, placing it firmly in the ‘severe plus’ category. A thick layer of smog blanketed the city, causing discomfort to commuters and severely impairing visibility in several areas. All 40 air quality monitoring stations across Delhi turned ‘red’, indicating severe pollution. Rohini in northwest Delhi recorded the worst air with an AQI of 499, followed closely by Jahangirpuri and Vivek Vihar at 495. The worsening air quality prompted the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to invoke Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), the strictest measure under the winter pollution control plan. Stage IV restrictions were imposed after the AQI crossed 450, following unfavourable meteorological conditions, low wind speeds, and poor dispersion of pollutants. Under Stage IV, several measures are in effect across Delhi-NCR:
- A ban on all construction and demolition activities, including linear public projects such as highways, flyovers, pipelines, and telecom work.
- Restrictions on the entry of BS-IV and lower diesel trucks, except those carrying essential commodities. CNG, LNG, electric, and BS-VI diesel trucks are allowed.
- Schools in Delhi, up to classes IX and XI, are required to operate in hybrid mode (physical and online), with students given the choice to attend online where feasible.
- Government and private offices must operate at 50% capacity, with the rest of the staff working from home.
- Children, the elderly, and people with respiratory, cardiovascular, or other chronic diseases are advised to remain indoors and wear masks if venturing outside.
The Delhi government’s Directorate of Education directed all school heads to immediately communicate the hybrid-class arrangements to parents and guardians and ensure compliance with the new directives. Experts said the AQI spike was due to high emission loads combined with slow wind speeds, a stable atmosphere, and winter inversion conditions that trap pollutants near the ground. Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director at the Centre for Science and Environment, emphasized, “The current situation is a stark reminder of the urgent need for deep cuts in emissions from vehicles, industries, waste burning, construction, and household fuels.” The India Meteorological Department (IMD) also issued a yellow alert for dense fog at isolated places in Delhi on Sunday morning, with visibility dipping below 200 meters in some areas. Moderate fog is expected at most places throughout the day. This marks the first time this season that Stage IV GRAP has been invoked. The city last witnessed a ‘severe plus’ AQI day on December 19 last year, with an AQI of 451. With meteorological conditions expected to remain unfavourable over the coming days, authorities warned residents to take precautionary measures and minimize outdoor exposure. CM Rekha Gupta claimed that no stubble-burning incidents had been recorded in Delhi this year, attributing the improvement to coordinated efforts by the agriculture and environment departments. However, data from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute indicated five cases in the city’s north district. With the air quality likely to remain in the severe category on Sunday and possibly improve only slightly to ‘very poor’ by Monday and Tuesday, Delhiites were advised to stay indoors and follow all safety measures issued by CAQM and the government.
