Delhi has become the most polluted city in the world. According to real-time data from Swiss group IQAir, Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 701 at 11:45 am on Sunday. At the same time, Delhi’s AQI was 483 at 7.30 am.
According to the World Air Quality Index, three Indian cities are included in the world’s 10 most polluted cities. Among these, Delhi is on top, while Kolkata (AQI 206) is at third and Mumbai (AQI 162) is at fifth. Lahore city of Pakistan is at number two.
The air in Delhi has remained poisonous for the last four days. Delhi government has ordered closure of primary schools till November 10. Delhi’s Education Minister Atishi told on X that online classes are being considered for students of class 6-12 also. Earlier, CM Arvind Kejriwal had directed to close schools on 3rd and 4th November.
Doctor Neeraj Gupta of Safdarjung Hospital, Delhi said that pregnant women and children are most at risk from pollution. Poor air quality also harms the child growing in the womb of pregnant women.
There is a risk of skin and heart related diseases due to pollution. Apart from this, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and constant headache can occur. Increase in AQI also affects the respiratory system. As AQI increases, the brain development of young children is adversely affected. Their mental strength starts decreasing.
Regarding the air quality, Dr. Arvind Kumar of Medanta Hospital, Gurugram said on November 4 that the air with 400-500 AQI is equal to the smoke of 25-30 cigarettes. It affects people of all age groups equally. On pollution in Delhi, Dr. Nikhil Modi of Apollo Hospital has advised people to wear masks.
Delhi’s Environment Minister Gopal Rai wrote a letter to the Center on Saturday. He has asked Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav to hold an emergency meeting with the environment ministers of five states (Delhi, UP, Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana).
He said that the rules of Commission of Air Quality Management (CAQM) are being violated in the neighboring states of Delhi.
GRAP-3 implemented in Delhi, ban on unnecessary construction and demolition Due
to deteriorating air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) implemented the third stage of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR on 3 November.
Stage III of GRAP is implemented when the AQI becomes severe in the range of 401-450.
After the implementation of GRAP-3, unnecessary construction-demolition and use of coal in restaurants has been banned in Delhi.
The government has directed to deduct a challan of Rs 20,000 for the use of BS-3 petrol and BS-4 diesel four-wheelers.
Scientists have expressed concern about the increasing pollution in Delhi. According to them, Delhi’s air may worsen in the coming days. Also, scientists cited less rainfall as a major reason for the increase in pollution.
This year in October, there was 5.4 mm rainfall only on one day. Whereas in October 2022, there was 129 mm rainfall for 6 days and in October 2021, there was 123 mm rainfall for 7 days.
