Delhi’s Ongoing Battle with ‘Severe’ Air Quality: CM Kejriwal to Lead Meeting on Escalating Pollution

New Delhi: The national capital region continues to grapple with alarming pollution levels as a thick layer of toxic haze envelops the city’s atmosphere. At 8 am, the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded a high reading of 436, indicating hazardous air quality. This situation persists after the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) decided to implement Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the entire National Capital Region (NCR) immediately to prevent further degradation of air quality. In response to the crisis, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has called for a high-level meeting on the city’s pollution situation, scheduled for 12 pm today.

The government’s 8-point action plan includes a ban on construction work related to linear public projects in Delhi-NCR and restrictions on the entry of polluting trucks and commercial four-wheelers into the capital to combat the air quality crisis. Due to the consistently high pollution levels, primary schools in Delhi will remain closed until November 10. Delhi Minister Atishi announced this decision on Sunday. In response to this situation, students in Grades 6-12 are being given the option to switch to online classes.

Unfavorable wind conditions, marked by reduced wind speed and a decrease in temperature, have contributed to the worsening air quality. Under the government’s air pollution control plan, when the AQI crosses the 450-mark, all emergency measures outlined in the plan, including the prohibition of polluting trucks, commercial four-wheelers, and various construction activities, must be enforced throughout the NCR