Delhi’s Air Quality Reaches Critical Levels Amid Worsening Pollution Concerns

Data indicates that the air quality in Delhi, India’s capital, has declined to severe and extremely poor classifications over the last few days. Last week, pollution levels in various parts of the city exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO)’s recommended safe limit by 25 to 30 times. According to expert warnings, the situation is expected to deteriorate further in the upcoming days, attributed to prevailing weather conditions, the use of firecrackers during the Diwali festival scheduled for Thursday, and the burning of agricultural waste in adjacent states. Annually, from October to January, Delhi and numerous cities across northern India experience extreme air pollution levels, leading to business interruptions and the closure of educational institutions and workplaces. Information from the government-operated Safar website reveals that on Monday, levels of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5), capable of penetrating deep into the lungs and causing various illnesses, reached up to 350 micrograms per cubic metre in certain localities. The website specifies that air quality is classified as “very poor” when PM 2.5 concentrations are between 300 and 400, and “severe” when they reach 400-500. Each winter, Delhi becomes covered by a dense layer of smog, a phenomenon attributed to smoke, dust, reduced wind speeds, emissions from vehicles, and the burning of crop stubble. During November and December, agricultural producers in the adjacent states of Punjab and Haryana engage in burning crop stubble to prepare their fields. Farming organizations state a requirement for financial and technical assistance to implement alternative methods for disposing of crop residue, noting that existing government initiatives have not yet proven effective. Smoke generated by firecrackers ignited during Diwali exacerbates the issue. As is customary annually, the Delhi government has declared a comprehensive prohibition on the production, storage, and sale of fireworks in advance of the festival, which is scheduled for later this week. However, previous bans of this nature have not been entirely successful, as individuals obtain fireworks from other states. Furthermore, the Delhi government has implemented its Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to combat pollution. This plan prohibits all activities involving the burning of coal and firewood, alongside the use of diesel generators for non-emergency purposes. Delhi authorities have advised residents to remain indoors whenever feasible and have restricted construction operations within the city. They have also encouraged the public to utilize public transportation to reduce emissions from vehicles.