Thick smog shrouds Delhi, triggering emergency air pollution controls under GRAP Stage 3. The decision follows a rapid plunge in air quality, with the citywide AQI breaching 400 and several areas touching 450.
CAQM’s monitoring dashboard paints a stark reality. Wazirpur topped the charts at 460, followed by Burari (452) and Hari Nagar (448). Toxic particles infiltrate lungs and bloodstreams, raising alarms across the NCR.
Immediate GRAP-3 actions include a blanket halt on construction sites generating dust. Linear projects like highways and railways get conditional approvals. All polluting industries in NCR districts shut down, sparing only those compliant with emission norms. Entry of trucks carrying non-essential goods into Delhi stands barred during daytime.
Mobility shifts prioritize public transport: Metro adds 50 extra trains daily, while cluster buses extend routes to underserved areas. Private CNG vehicles gain lane privileges on major arterials. Hoardings and street vendors must curb open burning practices.
Meteorology plays villain, with high humidity (85%) and low wind speeds (under 5 km/h) creating a pollution trap. Stubble burning accounts for 25-35% of emissions, satellite data from ISRO confirms, despite enforcement drives. Urban sources—vehicles (35%), industries (20%), and dust (15%)—pile on relentlessly.
Residents feel the brunt: visibility drops below 500 meters, flight delays mount at airports, and schools pivot to hybrid models. ‘This is a public health emergency,’ declares Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav. Doctors prescribe steam inhalation and report doubled ICU admissions for pollution-linked illnesses.
GRAP-3 marks the third escalation this season, underscoring systemic failures in air governance. Success hinges on interstate cooperation, vigilant enforcement, and citizen compliance. With forecasts of stagnant weather persisting, Delhi’s fight against its winter smog nemesis intensifies.