A dense layer of smog descended upon the national capital on Wednesday morning, pushing the air quality into the 'severe' category across various parts of Delhi. Pic/PTI
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the air quality index (AQI) in RK Puram measured 420, New Moti Bagh recorded 408, IGI Airport area reported 404, and Nehru Nagar marked 433, all falling under the severe category.
Visuals from India Gate and Lodhi Road depicted residents carrying on with their daily routines amid a hazy atmosphere.
The city experienced a thick smog layer on the night of Diwali, and the toxic haze persisted the following day despite a Supreme Court order against the bursting of firecrackers.
Nine out of 11 state capitals analyzed in India witnessed increased pollution in the first 12 hours post-Diwali celebrations this year compared to the previous year, as per data from the government's National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) tracker.
The NCAP Tracker, a collaborative effort by Climate Trends and Respirer Living Sciences, utilizes PM 2.5 (fine particulate matter) data from 11 capital cities' Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) of the CPCB.
Despite alarming pollution levels and the Supreme Court's ban on firecrackers, Diwali celebrations included fireworks in Delhi and other cities, contributing to elevated pollution levels.
Delhi Labour Minister Raaj Kumar Anand assessed pollution control measures at the Jonti Border area and reviewed the situation in the Kanjhawala area, emphasizing the government's commitment to reducing pollution.
The ongoing pollution control measures, as part of stage four of the GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan), will persist in the national capital until further notice, announced Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Monday.
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Wednesday announced that the government is closely monitoring the city's pollution levels and will consider measures such as artificial rain and the implementation of the odd-even rule if the situation escalates to the 'Severe' plus category.
"The decision will be made based on observations over the next two to three days," he added. "We will reach this decision (artificial rain and the implementation of odd-even) after observing the situation for the next two to three days. If the pollution escalates to the 'Severe' plus category, measures will be implemented to mitigate it," Gopal Rai said.
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