New Delhi has recently faced unprecedented levels of air pollution, prompting the authorities to take drastic measures. The city has been gripped by severe smog, forcing schools to close, halting construction activities, and banning non-essential trucks from entering the urban area.
These actions come in response to the air quality reaching its worst levels this season. Read this article to understand more about how residents of New Delhi awoke to a city blanketed in dense, hazardous smog, and what might be the next steps in India's capital.
An Environmentally Hazardous Awakening
According to SAFAR, India's leading environmental monitoring body, the air quality has deteriorated into the severe category. The tiny particulate matter present is capable of penetrating deep into the lungs, posing significant health risks.
The thick haze has cloaked major landmarks and skyscrapers, leading to severe visibility issues throughout the city. Airlines have issued warnings about potential delays due to the poor conditions.
In certain areas of New Delhi, pollution levels have surged to over 50 times the World Health Organization's recommended safe limit. Forecasts predict this hazardous air quality will persist throughout the week.
The Causes Behind The Crisis
Air pollution spikes annually in northern India, particularly in winter, when farmers burn crop residues. This practice coincides with colder weather, which traps smoke in the atmosphere. The wind then carries this smoke to urban areas, where it intensifies pollution levels alongside vehicle emissions.
Besides this agricultural seasonal practice, industrial emissions and coal burning for electricity are also significant contributors to the worsening pollution problem. Over recent weeks, these factors have intensified, exacerbating the already dire situation.
What Are The Stricter Measures Implemented By Authorities?
In response to the escalating air pollution, authorities have initiated stage 4 of a graded response action plan (GRAP 4). This phase introduces stricter measures, building on previous efforts.
Immediate Action
Classes for students below grade 10 and above 12 have shifted to online platforms, and only trucks transporting essential goods are permitted to enter the city. Furthermore, older diesel vehicles face a ban, and all construction work has been halted. Officials have urged vulnerable groups, including children and the elderly, to remain indoors whenever possible.
Regional Impact And Public Discontent
Across the border in Uttar Pradesh, farmers are also burning their fields, releasing smoke that likely drifts into New Delhi and neighboring regions. Despite the toxic atmosphere, many residents continue their daily routines, including morning strolls in popular parks like Lodhi Garden.
Sanjay Goel, a local shopkeeper, expressed frustration over the situation, noting widespread sore throats among residents. He called for a ban on crop residue burning to mitigate the pervasive smoke.
The deteriorating air quality has sparked discontent among New Delhi's residents, who have taken to social media to voice their concerns. Many reported headaches and persistent coughing, describing the city as an "apocalyptic" scene or "gas chamber." They demand a resolution to this public health crisis once and for all.
The Need For Long-Term Solutions
Research indicates that pollution-related illnesses result in over a million deaths annually in India. Authorities have previously attempted measures like deploying water sprinklers and anti-smog machines to combat the haze.
However, critics argue for a long-term solution that addresses the root causes of pollution rather than temporary measures that merely manage its symptoms.
To truly tackle this ongoing issue, sustained efforts, and comprehensive strategies are required. These include promoting clean energy alternatives, enhancing public transport infrastructure, and strictly regulating industrial emissions.
