Delhi air quality has dropped to the ‘severe plus’ category because of a thick layer of toxic smog. The air quality index (AQI) struck 485 at 9 am on Monday leading authorities to impose stringent anti-pollution measures under State IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
This prompted schools to close and the majority of offices called on employees for remote working. As part of the Stage-4 curbs, trucks (except those carrying essential commodities) cannot enter Delhi. There’s a strict ban on the plying of diesel-operated medium goods vehicles (MGVs) and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) in Delhi. Construction and demolition activities have also been put to a halt.
Moreover, the Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government is looking at discontinuing physical classes for classes VI-IX and XI and students to take up online mode. It’s also contemplating the closure of colleges, educational institutes, and non-emergency commercial activities.
Airlines have also been affected. Spice Jet said due to poor visibility in Delhi (DEL), all departures and arrivals, and their consequential flights may be affected. It advised passengers to keep a check on their flight status. IndiGo had a similar advisory about checking flight status.
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Smog Chokes Delhi
Delhi has a smog problem. The IMD said the dense fog contains particulate matter and other pollutants. Doctors warn that this smog can get lodged in the lungs and potentially clog them, affect the functioning capacity of the lungs, and increase wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. It may aggravate respiratory problems for those already suffering from asthma bronchitis.
Meanwhile, BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal blamed Delhi’s former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal for the severe air pollution. He said the AAP government failed to take concrete steps to curb air pollution in the last 10 years, forcing the people of Delhi to breathe poisonous air.
