Delhis air pollution nosedives to severe as CAQM imposes GRAP-IV
At 8 pm, Delhi's AQI was recorded as 428, due to a western disturbance, highly unfavourable weather or meteorological conditions, and a lack of dispersal of pollutants.
New Delhi: The air pollution in Delhi is showing no signs of slowing down. The national capital's AQI was recorded at 400 on Saturday at 4 pm, which shows a sharp increasing trend. At 8 pm, Delhi's AQI was recorded as 428, due to a western disturbance, highly unfavourable weather or meteorological conditions, and a lack of dispersal of pollutants.
CAQM imposed GRAP Stage-IV
Due to the prevailing air quality and relevant factors and to prevent further deterioration of air quality, the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP has invoked "all actions as envisaged under Stage-IV of extant GRAP – ‘Severe+’ Air Quality (DELHI AQI > 450), with immediate effect, in the entire NCR, as a proactive measure. This is in addition to the actions under Stages I, II & III of extant GRAP already in force in NCR." Also, the NCR Pollution Control Boards and other agencies concerned have been asked to escalate the preventive measures.
Rising deaths in Delhi due to air pollution
Recently, the Delhi government released the latest official data that shows 9,211 deaths in the national capital in 2024 due to respiratory diseases. In 2023, the number of deaths was 8,801 as Delhi continues to battle air pollution.
Common respiratory diseases like asthma, pneumonia, lung cancer, and Tuberclosis often cause breathing issues, and have led to the death toll in the national capital. In 2024, most of the deaths (21,262) happened due to diseases of the circulatory system, while infectious and parasitic diseases caused 16,060 deaths.
CAQM pulled up by Supreme Court
Earlier, the Supreme Court took note of the report submitted by the amicus curiae on long-term solutions of Delhi air pollution. CJI Surya Kant said that the amicus curiae's report has suggested permanent measures to tackle pollution. It slammed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for adopting what the court described as an "unserious” approach to the Delhi-NCR region's air pollution.
The bench observed, "Have you been able to identify the causes of pollution? During all these days, a lot of material is coming into the public domain, experts are writing articles, people are having opinions, and they keep sending it to us via mail." The apex court, while hearing the Delhi air pollution case, said that the "CAQM is failing in its duty."