Delhi Air Pollution Highlights: With AQI in ‘severe’ category, Gopal Rai announces work from home for Delhi govt employees

I remember writing about “a green blueprint” (‘COP & the new abnormal’, IE, December 8, 2023) around this time last year, when COP28 was underway in Dubai, pointing out that any strategy to combat air pollution must not only address immediate concerns but also have a long-term, sustainable approach based on science. Resource frameworks for such an approach must look at “airsheds”, not political or regional boundaries. As COP29 enters its second week in Baku, and global health experts are urging countries to move away from fossil fuel dependence, several northern India cities are experiencing record-breaking “severe-plus” air quality.

Worsening air quality in winter is not a new phenomenon. This year, as October and the first week of November passed without extreme pollution, many, including the authorities, rejoiced. Then, the second week of November hit hard. Toxic particulate matter engulfed most of northern India. New Delhi is covered in thick smog. The most toxic PM2.5 crossed more than 500ug/m3 and visibility fell sharply. To understand the severity, an AQI of 400 (severe) is equal to only 250ug/m3. Given that the official stubble-burning numbers, mainly driven by NASA’s satellite monitoring data, dropped significantly this season (more than 70-80 per cent), this surprised even experts. Most forecasting models also failed to predict this peak. It surprised me too, until I analysed the vertical slice of my air quality chemical transport model. After all, typical winter conditions linked to extreme air stagnation had still not set in. Read More

The Supreme Court questioned the Delhi government on Monday (November 18) over the “delay” in implementing stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

With smog and high levels of air pollution in Delhi-NCR on Sunday, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) issued directions for implementing stage IV from Monday morning onwards. However, the court said the CAQM subcommittee tasked with operationalising the GRAP was supposed “to take preemptive steps” before pollution levels approach the specific threshold.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) was 441 at 4 pm on Sunday and breached the 450 threshold at which GRAP IV is supposed to be implemented later in the evening. The apex court also said that stage IV measures should continue even if the AQI drops below 450 in Delhi-NCR. Read More

In response to directives from the CAQM, all private institutions and corporate offices in Gurgaon are advised to adopt a 50% work-from-home policy starting November 20, continuing until further notice. This measure aims to ensure safety and compliance amid ongoing concerns. Employers are encouraged to facilitate remote work arrangements to maintain productivity while prioritizing employee well-being. Stay tuned for updates as the situation evolves.

Delhi's Metro train network has expanded 1.5 times faster under the AAP government over the past decade, Chief Minister Atishi announced on Sunday. She mentioned that construction on the Lajpat Nagar-Saket and Indraprastha-Inder Lok lines will commence soon.

During her visit to the Mukundpur Metro depot, where the first Phase IV trains were displayed, Atishi said these advanced driverless trains are among the world's most sophisticated and will be operational in the next three to four months.

Daily ridership has surged from 24 lakh in 2014 to 60 lakh this year, with a record 78 lakh commuters on Monday, she said. “Under Arvind Kejriwal’s leadership, Metro expansion has accelerated significantly since 2014,” she added. PTI

POINTING TO a delay in implementing strict measures despite the worsening air quality in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), the Supreme Court Monday directed that curbs under Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to deal with the situation will remain in force until further orders.

“We make it clear that until further orders are passed by this court, implementation of Stage 4 will continue even if AQI level drops below 450,” a bench of Justices A S Oka and A G Masih ordered.

Directing all NCR governments to strictly implement Stage 4 of GRAP, the court said, “All states will immediately constitute teams for monitoring implementation of actions which are required to be taken under Stage 4.”

As many as 15 flights were diverted from landing at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in Delhi Monday owing to low visibility conditions as temperatures dipped and smog thickened over the Capital. Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet were among the flights affected.
While 13 flights were diverted to Jaipur, one each was diverted to Dehradun and Lucknow.
Sources at Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) confirmed that the flights had to be diverted due to a lack of experienced captains trained in CAT-III operation to land aircraft in poor visibility conditions. CAT-III is a highly precise way for airplanes to land even in poor visibility, allowing them to descend to just 100 feet above the runway with clear guidance, and the runway needs to be visible within 200 metres.
IGI Airport experienced dense fog, with visibility that dropped to 100-150 metres around 11 pm Sunday remaining the same until 11 am Monday. Safdarjung Airport had a visibility of 150 m during the same time-frame.

Delhi University has announced that all classes for colleges and departments will transition to online format due to the deteriorating Air Quality Index. This online instruction will continue until Saturday (November 23).

NDMC has announced a series of new measures aimed at improving air quality across Lutyens Delhi as AQI breaches the "severe plus" category. New Delhi Municipal Council Vice Chairperson Kuljeet Singh Chahal on Monday unveiled a detailed action plan focusing on advanced monitoring, stricter enforcement of pollution control regulations, and increased public awareness initiatives, an official statement said. The NDMC has introduced drone surveillance to monitor pollution hotspots in real-time, enabling swift intervention to address areas of concern, the statement said. - PTI

With Delhi's air quality breaching the 'severe plus' category and hitting the season's worst levels on Monday, doctors have raised concerns about its health risks, cautioning that the toxic air can harm not just vulnerable groups but also healthy individuals.

Doctors advised residents to limit outdoor activities, stay hydrated and use air purifiers with HEPA filters to reduce indoor particulate matter. Those with pre-existing lung or heart conditions should remain vigilant and stick to their medications, the doctors advised. Delhi's air quality hit a new low on Monday with an Air Quality Index 484 at 8 am and further deteriorating to 490 by 1 pm. Some monitoring stations, including Dwarka Sector 8, Najafgarh, Nehru Nagar and Mundka, reported the maximum AQI level of 500, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that stubble burning was a significant contributor to the pollution crisis, noting the contrasting efforts between states. "While the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has successfully reduced stubble burning cases in Punjab, the situation in Uttar Pradesh has worsened, with farm fire incidents rising from 1,500 to 2,500." He criticised the BJP government for neglecting this critical issue and failing to take necessary actions to mitigate pollution.

With air pollution levels escalating to alarming levels in Delhi and the National Capital Region, the sale of air purifiers and masks have surged significantly, according to traders in the city.

Delhi's air quality plummeted to the 'severe plus' category on Monday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) soaring to 484 — its worst reading this season, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

As Delhiites struggles to breathe, traders said the demand for air purifiers and masks have increased as many residents see the equipment as a necessity to safeguard their health. - PTI

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Monday directed sharp criticism towards the BJP-led central government for its lack of action in addressing the ongoing air pollution crisis in the national capital.

Addressing a press conference here, Rai said the Delhi government has directed the health department to form a special task force at LNJP Hospital to handle medical emergencies related to the pollution.

The government will also take all necessary measures and steps to control pollution in Delhi, he said in response to the question about odd-even. "I have directed health department to form special task force at LNJP Hospital to address medical emergency," Rai said.

The Supreme Court has ordered the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to take stringent action under stages 3 and 4 to combat pollution, emphasising that no discretion should be left to state authorities. Notably, the court highlighted discrepancies in satellite data regarding farm fires, urging compliance reports by Friday. The SC reiterated the constitutional obligation to ensure citizens live in a pollution-free environment, mandating all necessary steps be taken by the government to normalise the situation. The court will review compliance with its orders during the upcoming hearing.

Advocate Jyoti Mendiratta: NASA scientists are saying that most stubble burning taking place after 2:30 pm.. this is by relying on South Korean geo spaced satellites. - Bar and Bench