New Delhi found itself gasping for breath as a thick, toxic blanket of smog descended upon large parts of the national capital on Thursday. The hazardous haze drastically cut down visibility and caused significant health discomfort for residents, prompting urgent action from pollution control authorities.
Key Areas Record Hazardous Air Levels
Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) painted a grim picture. The RK Puram area was severely impacted, registering an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 374, which falls firmly in the 'very poor' category. Not far behind, the zones around the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium were also enveloped in dense smog, with an AQI reading of 349, also classified as 'very poor'. While Najafgarh recorded a slightly lower AQI of 284, the area remained shrouded in unhealthy haze. For context, an AQI between 301 and 400 is considered 'very poor' and can lead to respiratory illness on prolonged exposure.
Emergency Measures Triggered Across Delhi-NCR
In response to the sharp deterioration in air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) took decisive steps. The panel invoked all Stage-IV measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the entire Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR). This is the highest level of action under GRAP, indicating a severe pollution emergency. The smog was not isolated to Delhi; the city of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh also reported significantly reduced visibility due to a thick layer of fog.
Earlier Inspections Reveal Critical Gaps in Maintenance
The current crisis follows recent enforcement actions that highlighted systemic issues. Earlier in December, the CAQM deployed 19 special teams for a road-inspection drive on December 12. These teams scrutinised 136 road stretches under the jurisdiction of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA).
The findings were alarming:
- 15 road stretches had high levels of visible dust.
- 38 stretches showed moderate dust accumulation.
- Municipal solid waste (MSW) was found piled up on 55 stretches.
- Construction and demolition (C&D) waste was observed on 53 stretches.
- Disturbingly, evidence of MSW or biomass burning was reported at six locations.
In an official release, the commission stated that these observations clearly indicate gaps and recurring negligence in maintaining the affected stretches. It stressed the urgent need for the DDA to enhance operational efficiency and implement prompt corrective measures.
Call for Strengthened On-Ground Action
The CAQM emphasised that such lapses directly and significantly impact particulate matter levels in Delhi's air. The commission outlined a series of necessary interventions, including:
- Regular mechanical sweeping of roads.
- Timely disposal of collected dust and waste.
- Proper maintenance of road shoulders and central verges.
- Deployment of water-sprinkling and dust-suppression systems.
- Focused efforts to completely prevent open burning across all DDA-maintained areas.
The agency underscored the need for improved compliance across all road stretches to tackle the dual problems of waste mismanagement and biomass burning, which are major contributors to the city's particulate pollution, especially during the winter months.
