DELHI: Delhi’s air quality went from bad to worse, as AQI (Air Quality Index) readings in different areas of the city have started reaching “severe” levels. According to the latest reports, the pollution levels have reached hazardous figures. Some monitoring stations such as Anand Vihar have recorded AQI at a close-to-999 score, marking the maximum value on the AQI scale. This has brought into alarm the case of the current air pollution crisis in Delhi, affecting millions of residents across the National Capital Region (NCR).
Government Takes Emergency Measures
The Delhi government had called an emergency review meeting due to the deteriorating air quality. The official response was accompanied by a series of anti-pollution measures-anti-smog guns and sprinkling vehicles, along with enhanced checks by the pollution agencies. Environment Minister Gopal Rai also said that this would be a government that was making every effort it could take in order to get the pollution under control and other restrictions get progressively stricter if the levels of pollutant increase in their respective zones.
Contributing Factors to Delhi’s Pollution Crisis
There are several factors driving the recent uptick in pollution. Crop stubble burning in neighboring states like Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh – where leftover paddy stubble is burned off by farmers to clear fields – is one of the major contributors. Despite government incentives and legal measures against this practice, stubble burning persists, adding tremendous quantities of particulate matter to the atmosphere. The localized emissions in the Delhi-NCR region, caused by the increased vehicular density, under-construction projects, and industrial pollutants, worsen during winter when the wind speeds are low as they get trapped around the ground.
Health Warning and Long-term Approaches
Health experts warn people and the vulnerable population of children and elderly people not to stay outdoors for an extended period. The government has also requested the use of N95 masks and air purifiers as short-term measures. In the meantime, it is emphasized that only on a long-term basis would solutions like non-polluting agricultural practices, tight emission controls of vehicles, and alternative crop-clearing methods reduce the reliance on stubble burning. Earlier, the Supreme Court had condemned state governments for their attempts at curbing pollution in their states, urging these states to make cleanup policies a priority and look for fire-based crop disposal alternatives.
As another severe air pollution episode strikes Delhi for the umpteenth time, this moment finds urgent need for swiftness in policies that are sustainable. The issues thus described require collaborative efforts of state governments and central governments, regulatory authorities, and citizens, seeking a cleaner, healthier future for the capital and its people.
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