Delhi has enforced hybrid classes for primary students and banned non-essential construction as air pollution escalates to severe levels, triggering emergency measures under the Graded Response Action Plan. This move aims to mitigate health risks amid dangerously high particulate matter concentrations, with authorities scrambling to address the recurring winter crisis.
Air quality in the Indian capital deteriorated sharply, with the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 428, classified as ‘severe’ by the Central Pollution Control Board. PM2.5 levels soared to 438, nearly 30 times the World Health Organization’s safe limit, posing significant threats to public health. The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas invoked Stage III of the GRAP on Tuesday, marking the first such action this winter as pollution worsened from ‘very poor’ to ‘severe’ within a day.
Under GRAP Stage III, strict anti-pollution measures include a complete ban on construction and demolition activities across Delhi and the National Capital Region. Additionally, the plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers is prohibited in key areas like Gurugram and Ghaziabad. Existing restrictions from earlier GRAP stages remain in effect, with authorities emphasizing immediate implementation to curb emissions from dust-generating activities and vehicle exhaust.
Health experts have issued urgent advisories, urging residents, especially children and the elderly, to avoid outdoor exposure unless necessary and to wear protective masks when venturing out. Doctors warn that severe pollution levels can affect healthy individuals and exacerbate conditions for those with respiratory or cardiovascular diseases. The hazardous smog has led to visible protests in the capital, with citizens demanding stronger government action to safeguard public well-being.
The pollution spike stems from a combination of factors, including low wind speeds, industrial emissions, vehicular traffic, and seasonal crop residue burning in neighboring states. Dropping temperatures and atmospheric conditions trap pollutants, exacerbating the annual winter smog. Delhi’s government has deployed measures like water sprinklers and dust suppression techniques, but the complex regional nature of the problem requires coordinated efforts across state boundaries.
Political tensions have flared over the crisis, with opposition leaders accusing the Delhi government of manipulating air quality data and failing to declare a public health emergency. Aam Aadmi Party representative Saurabh Bhardwaj alleged that official numbers understate the severity, while Chief Minister Rekha Gupta denied the claims, asserting that her administration is addressing pollution with ‘mission mode’ seriousness. The government maintains that data is transparent and actions are prompt, including hybrid schooling and enhanced monitoring.
Looking ahead, officials project that air quality may improve to the ‘very poor’ category by Wednesday, though sustained efforts are needed. The hybrid learning model for classes up to grade five will continue, balancing education with safety, while authorities monitor compliance with GRAP measures. Long-term solutions remain critical, as Delhi’s air pollution crisis highlights broader environmental challenges in urban India, demanding integrated policies on emissions control and sustainable practices.
