The national capital woke up to a hazardous blanket of smog on Friday, with air quality plummeting to the 'severe' category. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded an overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of 402 for Delhi, signaling a public health emergency and causing significant disruption to daily life.
Visibility Plummets, Traffic Grinds to a Halt
The most immediate and visible impact of the severe air pollution was on road and air traffic. A dense layer of smog drastically reduced visibility across the city, creating dangerous conditions for commuters. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported visibility levels as low as 600 meters at the Palam observatory and a mere 400 meters at the Safdarjung station during the early morning hours.
This led to major traffic snarls on key expressways and arterial roads. Movement was severely hindered on critical routes like the Delhi-Noida Direct (DND) Flyway and the Delhi-Gurugram Expressway. The poor visibility also affected flight operations at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, with several flights experiencing delays.
City Engulfed, Authorities Point to Stubble Burning
The entire Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) was engulfed in a toxic haze. Monitoring stations in neighboring areas also reported alarming readings. Noida recorded an AQI of 426, while Gurugram registered 478, both deep in the 'severe' zone. Ghaziabad and Greater Noida were not far behind, with indices of 383 and 403 respectively.
Officials from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) attributed the sudden and sharp deterioration to a combination of factors. The primary culprit identified was a significant spike in stubble burning incidents in the neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana. Satellite data revealed nearly 1,200 farm fire incidents in Punjab alone on Thursday, whose pollutants were carried to Delhi by favourable wind patterns.
This external source of pollution combined with local emissions from vehicles, construction dust, and industrial activities under calm wind conditions, creating a perfect storm for pollution accumulation. The IMD noted that wind speeds were low, preventing the dispersal of the harmful particulate matter.
Graded Response Action Plan Kicks In
In response to the 'severe' air quality, authorities immediately implemented Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). This set of anti-pollution measures includes a ban on non-essential construction and demolition activities across the NCR. The operation of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in Delhi and the adjoining districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar has also been prohibited.
Citizens, especially those with respiratory ailments, heart disease, and the elderly, have been advised to limit outdoor exposure and wear protective masks when outside. Doctors have reported a surge in patients complaining of itchy throats, burning eyes, and breathing difficulties.
The situation underscores the recurring and severe nature of Delhi's winter pollution crisis. While emergency measures are in place, the episode highlights the urgent need for sustained, year-round action and stronger regional cooperation to tackle the root causes of air pollution, particularly stubble management, to prevent such severe episodes in the future.
