Delhi AQI Improves To ‘Poor’ Category; To Get Worse On Diwali (image-X/bhanuvachan)

The second most polluted city in the world, according to the World Air Quality Index report 2024, Delhi continues to battle the toxic poison in the air every year with no respite. The air quality index (AQI) in the national capital witnessed some improvement but remained in the ‘poor’ category. The national capital recorded an AQI of 272 (as of 9 am on Tuesday), a slight dip from the average 304 yesterday, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked the Delhi Police chief and the special commissioner of traffic management to respond regarding the measures taken to reduce air pollution from vehicles and parking problems.

Also Read | Delhi Air Pollution: Everything You Need To Know Right Now

Mundaka became the most polluted with an AQI of 327, while Chandni Chowk recorded the lowest AQI levels in Delhi with 189.

But why is Delhi air so polluted?

According to a 2015 IIT-Kanpur study on sources of pollution in the national capital, road dust contributed 56 percent of the top contributors to PM 10 (particles with a diameter of 10 micrometres or smaller) emissions annually. Industrial point sources and vehicles contributed 10 percent and 9 percent emissions, respectively.

The Centre has invoked its Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage 2, for when the AQI is between 301 and 400, since October 21. Under this, restrictions on the use of coal and firewood in tandoors at restaurants and diesel generators are imposed along with an increase in vehicle parking fees.

While earlier a parking fee of Rs 20 per hour was charged for four-wheelers, the fee has been increased to Rs 40 per hour. The maximum going till Rs 200 for 24 hours. A fee of Rs 10 per hour for two-wheelers has been increased to Rs 20 per hour, with the maximum fee up to Rs 100 for 24 hours.

However, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi has not enacted a similar plan. Since GRAP’s existence, parking charges in MCD regions have reportedly not been increased even once.

Also Watch | Video: Exclusive Visuals Of Cyclone Dana Landfall In Odisha

The public has been advised to use public transport and minimise the use of personal vehicles to control the pollution crisis. According to the Delhi Transport Department, around 2,000 old vehicles have been impounded out, while there are around 1.5 lakh old vehicles. The government has restarted action against end-of-life vehicles, which include petrol and diesel vehicles that have completed 15 years and 10 years of age, respectively.

Stubble burning is another major cause of the dirty and polluted air. A total of 3,434 crop-residue burning events have been reported in Punjab (1,857), Haryana (700), UP (865), and Delhi (12), as of October 26 based on data from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute. IITM warned that stubble burning cases will increase and lead to severe air quality in the next few days.