The air quality in the national capital witnessed a slight improvement compared to last week, as the AQI dropped from hazardous to an unhealthy level on Monday morning.
According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, the overall AQI in Delhi was recorded at 281 as of 8 a.m., with a thin layer of haze covering parts of the city.
The air quality index in the metropolitan city had been reeling under the ‘severe plus’ category for 4-5 days last week. Visuals showed commuters making their way to work and offices as a haze of smoke and fog engulfed the city.
People were seen engaging in routine morning walks, jogging, and exercising near Kartavya Path this morning. Drone visuals from the area around Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) also showed a haze-filled atmosphere as the AQI remained in the ‘poor’ category.
Similarly, the Akshardham Temple in the Pandav Nagar area of Delhi was shrouded in a thin layer of smog.
Amidst rising pollution levels, the government has instructed the administration to use truck-mounted water sprinklers to mitigate the effects of air pollution. Visuals from the Shaheen Bagh area showed a truck-mounted water sprinkler spraying water on the road.
An AQI between 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 satisfactory, 101-200 moderate, 201-300 poor, 301-400 very poor, and 401-500 severe.
Meanwhile, drone visuals captured a frothy layer of toxic foam in the River Yamuna in the Kalindi Kunj area, as the pollution level in the river continues to remain high. The toxic foam has persisted on the surface of the Yamuna River for the past several days.
With the onset of the winter season, Delhiites and other residents have reported breathing difficulties, fever, and other health issues, urging authorities to find a permanent solution to rising pollution levels.
As winter grips parts of the country, the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra appeared ethereal amidst a thin layer of smog this morning.
Earlier, the Supreme Court directed the Delhi government and police to immediately set up checkpoints at all 113 entry points to Delhi to check the entry of trucks into the national capital. It appointed 13 members of the Bar as court commissioners to visit the entry points and verify whether trucks were being stopped.
The apex court expressed dissatisfaction with the compliance of GRAP-IV measures, stating that despite orders passed by the Supreme Court and the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), the Delhi government and police had failed to comply with clauses under GRAP Stage-IV.
As per the GRAP-IV restrictions imposed by the CAQM, the entry of trucks into Delhi-NCR has been prohibited to combat air pollution.
In view of the rising pollution levels, the CAQM activated Stage-IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), imposing restrictions such as a ban on truck entry and a halt to public construction projects.
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai has urged Chief Secretary Dharmendra to ensure the strict enforcement of GRAP to address worsening air quality in the national capital. The minister emphasized the need for coordinated efforts among all departments to implement the Winter Action Plan-2024 and achieve sustained improvements in air quality.
Rai directed all departments to submit daily reports on actions taken and progress made in implementing GRAP. He stressed the importance of strict enforcement mechanisms to penalize violators of air pollution norms. (ANI)