Pollution Emergency
Delhi's air quality remains in severe category as winter intensifies, with Air Quality Index (AQI) levels frequently crossing 400, prompting health advisories and emergency measures from authorities.
The national capital faces its annual winter pollution crisis with little improvement over previous years.
Current Situation
AQI levels across Delhi:
Monitoring Data
| Location | AQI Level |
|---|---|
| Anand Vihar | 450+ |
| ITO | 400+ |
| Dwarka | 380+ |
| CGO Complex | 420+ |
| Average | Severe |
Categories
- 0-50: Good
- 51-100: Satisfactory
- 101-200: Moderate
- 201-300: Poor
- 301-400: Very Poor
- 400+: Severe
Causes
Multiple factors contribute:
Pollution Sources
| Source | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Vehicles | 20-30% |
| Dust/Construction | 30%+ |
| Industries | 10-15% |
| Biomass burning | Variable |
| Stubble burning | Seasonal peak |
Weather Factors
- Low wind speed
- Temperature inversion
- Fog trapping pollutants
- Reduced dispersion
Emergency Measures
Government responses:
GRAP Implementation
| Stage | Measures |
|---|---|
| Stage I | Dust control, road washing |
| Stage II | Parking fees, diesel restrictions |
| Stage III | Construction bans |
| Stage IV | Vehicle restrictions, school closures |
Current Status
Stage IV measures implemented in worst episodes.
Health Impact
Citizens face serious risks:
Health Concerns
| Condition | Risk |
|---|---|
| Respiratory | Severe |
| Cardiovascular | Elevated |
| Children | Highly vulnerable |
| Elderly | Significant risk |
Advisories
- Avoid outdoor activities
- Use N95 masks
- Air purifiers indoors
- Medical attention if symptomatic
Political Blame Game
Parties exchange accusations:
Political Positions
| Party | Claim |
|---|---|
| AAP | Central inaction, stubble burning |
| BJP | Delhi government failures |
| Congress | Both parties failing |
| Farmers | Not sole cause |
Stubble Burning
The interstate issue:
Current Status
| State | Position |
|---|---|
| Punjab | Some reduction claimed |
| Haryana | Efforts ongoing |
| UP | Variable compliance |
Solutions Offered
- Happy Seeder subsidy
- Straw management
- Alternative crop patterns
- Biomass plants
Court Interventions
Supreme Court involvement:
Recent Orders
- Commission monitoring
- State compliance directions
- GRAP enforcement
- Report submissions required
Long-term Solutions
Experts recommend:
Structural Changes
| Measure | Status |
|---|---|
| Public transport | Expansion needed |
| EV adoption | Incentives provided |
| Industrial shift | Slow progress |
| Green spaces | Some development |
Comparison with Previous Years
Historical trends:
Year-on-Year
| Year | Worst AQI |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 500+ |
| 2022 | 470+ |
| 2023 | 480+ |
| 2024 | 450+ |
Limited improvement despite measures.
Looking Ahead
Winter outlook:
Expectations
- January-February worst expected
- Continued severe episodes
- School closures possible
- Emergency measures likely
- Long-term solutions delayed
Delhi's annual pollution crisis highlights the gap between policy announcements and effective implementation of solutions.
