While Delhi has implemented a series of stringent measures, including mandatory 50% work-from-home under GRAP Stage IV, Gurgaon has witnessed a noticeable lull in proactive administrative orders this pollution season. The contrast in action raises questions, especially against the backdrop of puzzling air quality data from the Millennium City.
The Stark Contrast in Administrative Action
The only significant restriction announced by the Gurgaon district administration so far has been the shift to hybrid classes for students from Classes I to V. This order was first issued on November 11 and later reiterated on December 16. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Delhi went beyond the recommendations of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to enforce stricter curbs.
Officials from the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) clarified that action under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is triggered based on Delhi's overall AQI, not city-specific readings. "Since curbs are linked to Delhi's air quality, Gurgaon having relatively better air does not change the applicability of GRAP measures," an HSPCB official stated.
The Data Anomaly: Gurgaon's Surprisingly 'Cleaner' Air
The rationale behind the limited local action appears linked to air quality readings. Data reveals a significant gap between Gurgaon and other parts of the National Capital Region (NCR).
This year, Gurgaon has not recorded a single 'severe' air quality day, where the AQI crosses 400. Furthermore, the city has recorded only one-third the number of 'very poor' AQI days compared to Delhi. In stark contrast, Noida and Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh have recorded almost the same number of 'very poor' days as Delhi and have witnessed more 'severe' AQI days than the national capital.
Experts Question Data Reliability and Call for Proactivity
This persistent data anomaly has been highlighted multiple times, with no clear explanation from pollution control authorities about the wide gap, leading to concerns about the trustworthiness of monitoring stations.
Manoj Kumar, a senior analyst at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), pointed out a potential flaw. "City-wide averages depend on locations of monitoring stations. If monitoring stations are located in relatively cleaner areas and pollution hotspots are missed, the average will appear better than actual exposure," he explained. He warned that with more representative, hyperlocal monitoring, parts of Gurgaon could well enter the 'severe' category.
Kumar criticized the reactive nature of pollution response in the NCR. "GRAP measures are triggered only after pollution reaches hazardous levels... This limits the effectiveness of GRAP, as it responds after pollution peaks instead of preventing them. What is needed is proactive action and transparency in air quality and industrial emissions data," he emphasized.
Offering a meteorological perspective, Dipankar Saha, former head of the air laboratory at the Central Pollution Control Board, cited findings from a two-year study. "Uttar Pradesh, followed by Punjab and Haryana, experience significantly better wind speeds compared to Delhi, aiding dispersion and dilution of pollutants. Delhi is landlocked... pollutants are not able to disperse due to low wind speed," he said.
When contacted, Gurgaon Deputy Commissioner Ajay Kumar said, "As of now, we have issued orders for hybrid classes for Classes I to V in Gurgaon. We are monitoring the situation and we will take steps accordingly."
The situation underscores a critical need for transparent, hyperlocal air quality monitoring and a shift from a Delhi-centric to a region-wide proactive strategy to effectively combat the annual air pollution crisis in the NCR.
