New Delhi: This morning, a dense layer of smog—a harmful combination of smoke and fog—blanketed the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR), resulting in the air quality index (AQI) falling into the “severe-plus” category, prompting authorities to implement stricter pollution control measures.
The smog also reduced visibility in the national capital, impacting flight operations and train services. Visibility at Palam decreased to 150 metres at 5 am. According to real-time data from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), the AQI in Delhi hit 481 at 7 am, marking the worst reading of the season. Officials attributed this spike to “unfavourable” meteorological conditions in Delhi-NCR.
An AQI of 0 to 50 is considered good, 51 to 100 is satisfactory, 101 to 200 is moderate, 201 to 300 is poor, 301 to 400 is very poor, 401 to 450 is severe, and anything above 450 is severe-plus.
The Centre’s air quality panel has activated stricter pollution control measures for the Delhi-NCR under Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which took effect at 8 am. This is in addition to the preventive measures already in place under Stages 1, 2, and 3 of GRAP.
The GRAP for Delhi-NCR is categorized into four stages based on air quality: Stage 1 addresses “poor” air quality (AQI between 201 and 300), Stage 2 addresses “very poor” air quality (AQI from 301 to 400), Stage 3 pertains to “severe” air quality (AQI from 401 to 450), and Stage 4 is for “severe-plus” air quality (AQI above 450).
The panel—Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)—has urged the public, especially children, senior citizens, and individuals with respiratory, cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, or other chronic illnesses, to stay indoors.
Under GRAP 4, trucks will be barred from entering Delhi unless they are transporting essential goods or using clean fuels (LNG/CNG/BS-VI diesel/electric). Non-essential light commercial vehicles registered outside of Delhi will not be permitted, except for electric vehicles and CNG or BS-VI diesel vehicles and those carrying essential goods.
Delhi-registered BS-IV or older diesel medium and heavy goods vehicles are prohibited, except for those engaged in essential services. In-person classes have been halted for all students except for those in grades 10 and 12.
All construction work, including highways, roads, flyovers, power lines, pipelines, and other public projects, has been suspended. Public and private offices in the Delhi-NCR region have been advised to operate at 50 percent capacity, with the remainder working from home. Central government employees may also be offered work-from-home options.
State governments may also choose to close colleges, restrict non-essential commercial activities, and enforce odd-even vehicle rules. This year, around 38% of the pollution in the national capital has resulted from stubble burning or farm fires in the neighboring states of Punjab and Haryana.
Delhi faces smog each winter due to cold air trapping dust, emissions, and smoke from illegal farm fires.
