Residents of the national capital struggled for breath on Saturday morning as a dense, toxic blanket of smog engulfed the city, drastically reducing visibility and raising serious health concerns. The air quality plunged into the 'very poor' to 'severe' categories, prompting immediate and stringent action from authorities.
Alarming Pollution Levels Across Delhi
According to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) for Delhi was recorded at 380 at 7 a.m., firmly in the 'very poor' zone. However, the situation was far worse in several key locations, where readings spiked into the 'severe' category (401-500).
Major pollution hotspots included:
- ITO area: AQI of 429
- Anand Vihar and Sarai Kale Khan: AQI of 428 each
- Ashok Vihar: 407
- Akshardham: 420
- Rao Tularam Marg: 403
The Barapullah flyover area also recorded a high AQI of 380. This widespread deterioration left large parts of Delhi-NCR gasping under hazardous air.
Stringent GRAP Stage-IV Measures Implemented
In response to the crisis, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) immediately put into action all measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage-IV. This highest level of restrictions includes:
- A complete ban on non-essential construction work.
- Restrictions on the entry of certain types of diesel-powered vehicles into the capital.
- Enhanced enforcement and monitoring to identify and curb local pollution sources.
The move aims to prevent a further slide in air quality and provide some relief to citizens.
Surprise Checks and Push for PUCC Compliance
Meanwhile, Delhi's Environment Minister, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, took to the ground to ensure compliance with pollution control norms. He conducted surprise inspections at petrol pumps, including those on the Delhi-Gurugram border and at Janpath, to review the 'No PUC, No Fuel' directive.
Interacting with pump staff, the Minister urged them to enforce the rules politely but firmly. "You are the first point of contact in this campaign. Cooperate with people and explain to them that this rule is for their health and the health of their children," he stated.
He also directed officials to ensure clear signboards, regular announcements, and better queue management at fuel stations. Speaking directly to vehicle owners, Sirsa emphasized, "This is not a matter of issuing challans; it is a question of clean air. Every valid PUCC issued today is a small victory in our fight against pollution."
Citizen Response Shows Promising Trend
The government's efforts seem to be resonating with the public. Data reveals a significant surge in people obtaining their Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCC). On December 17, 29,938 certificates were issued. The very next day, until 5:20 pm on December 18, another 31,974 PUCCs were issued, taking the total past 61,000 in less than 24 hours.
Expressing satisfaction with this public cooperation, Minister Sirsa said, "More than 60,000 people getting their PUCCs in a single day shows that when citizens trust that steps are being taken in the public interest, they extend full cooperation." The government expects this number to rise further as awareness increases.
The persistent smog and severe AQI levels underscore the critical and ongoing challenge of air pollution in Delhi-NCR, making both stringent government action and responsible citizen participation indispensable for any meaningful improvement.
