Delhi Battles Rising Pollution
As the air quality in New Delhi worsens, the Public Works Department (PWD) has taken action by sprinkling water on roads to combat pollution. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has implemented Stage II of the GRAP Action Plan, which includes daily mechanical sweeping and water sprinkling on identified roads.
Current Air Quality Status
On Thursday, Delhi was covered in smog, with air quality falling into the ‘very poor’ category. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) at various locations was recorded as follows: Anand Vihar (392), Ashok Vihar (350), IGI airport T3 (334), ITO Delhi (324), RK Puram (359), Okhla Phase-2 (322), and Dwarka-Sector 8 (348).
Understanding AQI Levels
An AQI between 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 satisfactory, 101-200 moderate, 201-300 poor, 301-400 very poor, and 401-500 severe.
Weather Forecast
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts a maximum temperature of 33°C and a minimum of 19°C for the day.
Stubble Burning and Pollution
Experts highlight that stubble burning contributes 25-30% to air pollution during October and November, but only 6-8% annually. Sagnik Dey, a professor at IIT Delhi, emphasizes the need to address other pollution sources year-round.
Pollution in Yamuna River
Toxic foam was observed in the Yamuna river at Kalindi Kunj, indicating high pollution levels.
Doubts Revealed
PWD -: PWD stands for Public Works Department. It is a government department responsible for public infrastructure like roads and buildings.
Stubble Burning -: Stubble burning is when farmers set fire to the leftover crop stalks in their fields after harvest. This is done to clear the field quickly for the next crop but causes a lot of air pollution.
GRAP Action Plan -: GRAP stands for Graded Response Action Plan. It is a set of measures to be taken to control air pollution in Delhi, depending on the severity of the air quality.
Air Quality Index -: The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a number used to communicate how polluted the air currently is or how polluted it is forecast to become. A ‘very poor’ category means the air is very unhealthy to breathe.
Toxic Foam -: Toxic foam is a harmful, bubbly substance that forms on water bodies like rivers due to pollution. It is caused by chemicals and waste being dumped into the water, making it unsafe for humans and animals.
Yamuna River -: The Yamuna River is one of the major rivers in India, flowing through several states including Delhi. It is an important water source but is heavily polluted, especially in urban areas.
