Delhi struggles to breathe as marginal AQI improvement offers little relief
Delhi’s air remained hazardous on Wednesday, with a slight improvement in air quality bringing little respite to residents as cases of respiratory distress continued to rise across the national capital.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 424 at 9 a.m., classified as ‘severe.’ This follows two consecutive days of ‘severe plus’ air quality, leaving the city’s air virtually unbreathable.
Visuals from India Gate showed residents navigating through a thick haze during morning walks and jogs. Meanwhile, the pollution-induced smog severely impacted transportation, with 13 trains delayed and 9 others rescheduled, according to Railways officials.
Despite the implementation of Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the national capital on Monday, its impact on air quality has been minimal.
AQI levels were in the ‘severe plus’ category in several areas, including Anand Vihar at 454, Jahangirpuri at 462, Mundka at 465 and Wazirpur at 464.
On Tuesday, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai urged Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav to convene an emergency meeting involving IIT Kanpur, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and other central agencies to explore cloud seeding as a temporary solution.
“The time has come to initiate artificial rainfall to disperse the smog layer. Last year, we explored this option with IIT Kanpur, and preparations began in August. However, no meeting has been held despite repeated requests,” Rai said.
He stressed that the smog layer must be dissipated to mitigate pollution.
“We are taking continuous measures. BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles have been banned, along with trucks and diesel buses from outside Delhi. Schools for Classes 10 and 12 are closed, and office timings have been staggered. We are considering work-from-home options and will decide soon. We are doing everything within our capacity, but breaking the smog layer is critical,” Rai said.
