NEW DELHI: A thick blanket of smog engulfed the city Friday, pushing air quality into the ‘severe’ category in the morning and making it the most polluted day since Jan 19. AQI clocked 403 around 8am as Delhiites woke up to hazy skies and reduced visibility, which persisted through the day.The situation improved marginally as the day progressed, with AQI improving to 398 by noon, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category.By 4pm, the reading had improved to 373, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, measured on a scale of 0 to 500.
On Jan 19, AQI stood at 410. Even on Diwali day, AQI had not slipped into the ‘severe’ category as per CPCB data, mostly on account of meteorological conditions.Several locations in Delhi experienced even more alarming pollution levels. IIT Delhi emerged as one of the worst-affected monitoring stations, recording an AQI of 481 at noon, which improved to 451 by 4pm, both readings falling in the ‘severe’ category.According to IITM forecasts, Delhi’s air quality is likely to remain in the mid to upper range of the ‘very poor’ category, with AQI levels expected to hover between 301 and 400.
Vehicles behind nearly a third of Friday’s pollution
Experts attributed the sudden deterioration to unfavourable meteorological conditions that prevented pollutants from dispersing. A lower inversion layer, changes in wind direction towards north-westerly winds and stagnant atmospheric conditions contributed to the accumulation of pollutants, particularly during the morning hours.Conditions improved marginally later in the day, allowing some dispersion of pollutants that had accumulated over the previous 24 hours, said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).“There is a strong need for year-round efforts to control pollution sources, since atmospheric conditions will remain the same every year,” she added.Meanwhile, data from Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) highlighted the changing contribution of pollution sources over the two days. On Thursday, biomass burning was the largest contributor, accounting for 25.4% of Delhi’s pollution, followed by secondary organic aerosols at 25% and vehicular emissions at 17%. Firecracker emissions continued to linger in the atmosphere even days after Diwali, contributing around 7% of the pollution load.On Friday, however, vehicular emissions emerged as the biggest contributor, accounting for 31.5% of the city’s pollution. Secondary organic aerosols contributed another 25%, while biomass burning, including emissions from stubble burning and coal combustion, accounted for around 20%. Municipal waste burning contributed over 5% while firecracker emissions accounted for 2.2%.The latest spike once again underscores how a combination of local emission sources and unfavourable weather conditions can push the capital’s air quality to dangerous levels, highlighting the need for sustained pollution-control measures throughout the year.The spike in pollution comes even as the city currently sees restriction under CAQMs GRAP-3, while Delhi’s later winter pollution framework, already in force since Nov 1, which has already barred private construction and energy of non-Delhi-registered BS-IV or lower vehicles into the city, among other curbs.Delhi Traffic Police holds coordination meetIn a move to strengthen enforcement of air pollution control measures, Delhi Traffic Police held a meeting with neighbouring states to ensure strict compliance with the directions issued by Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and with the vehicle restrictions under Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).Discussions focused on strengthening coordination between Delhi and neighbouring states, tightening checks at border entry points and preventing non-compliant vehicles from entering the national capital through alternative routes.Among the key measures discussed was the installation of digital display screens at strategic diversion points to inform commuters about GRAP restrictions and alternative routes. Officers were also directed to intensify public awareness campaigns to educate motorists about vehicle restrictions, compliance requirements and permitted exemptions.Enforcement of valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates will also be intensified to ensure compliance with emission standards.Strict action will also be taken against vehicles that are 10 years or older in the case of diesel and 15 years or older in the case of petrol, in accordance with norms.
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