Delhi’s air quality worsens, Arvind Kejriwal calls emergency meeting today

New Delhi: In the face of an escalating air pollution crisis, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal summoned a high-level meeting scheduled at 12:00 pm today to address the severe deterioration of air quality in the national capital. The meeting will be attended by Delhi’s Environment Minister Gopal Rai and officials from various concerned departments.

The meeting takes place amidst the ongoing struggle with apocalyptic levels of air pollution in Delh. The national capital has endured severely polluted air for the fifth consecutive day, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) remaining in the ‘severe’ category. The overall AQI for Delhi was recorded at a staggering 488.

Several areas in the city have been particularly hard-hit, including RK Puram (466), ITO (402), Patparganj (471), and New Moti Bagh (488).

As a response to the escalating air pollution crisis, the Delhi government has extended the closure of all schools for students up to class 5 until November 10. While schools for classes 6-12 are not mandated to close, they have the option to conduct online classes if they choose to do so.

The national capital finds itself shrouded in a stifling cloud of toxic smog, causing growing concerns among medical professionals regarding the surge in respiratory and eye-related ailments, particularly among children and the elderly.

Microscopic PM2.5 particles, known for their ability to penetrate deep into the lungs and pose health risks, have been recorded at levels seven to eight times higher than the government’s permissible limit of 60 micrograms per cubic meter in various locations across Delhi-NCR in recent days. This alarming level is 80 to 100 times higher than the WHO’s recommended safe limit of 5 micrograms per cubic meter.

Also Read: Delhi Pollution Reaches Fatal Levels; AQI Reaches Over 400

The Central government has implemented the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) at its highest level in Delhi and its surrounding areas, given that the air quality remains categorized as “severe plus.”

To combat the dire air pollution situation, the GRAP mandates restrictions on the entry of trucks into Delhi, with exceptions made only for those transporting essential goods, providing crucial services, or powered by LNG, CNG, or electricity. Only electric, CNG, and BS-VI diesel light commercial vehicles (LCVs) registered outside of Delhi are permitted entry, again with exceptions for those carrying essential goods or providing essential services.

Furthermore, all construction and demolition activities in Delhi, including public projects such as roads, bridges, and power lines, have been suspended.

The Delhi and Central governments are also considering allowing public, municipal, and private offices to operate with only half of their staff working from home, in a concerted effort to mitigate the adverse effects of the air pollution crisis.