The air quality in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram has reached critical levels on Tuesday morning, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 500, indicating ‘severe plus’ conditions.
This has been the trend for the past seven days, causing concern over public health risks. Areas such as Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, Bawana, Jahangirpuri, and Major Dhyan Chand Stadium have recorded severe levels of pollution according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The situation has been attributed to adverse weather conditions and widespread stubble burning in neighboring states. The Delhi government has declared a “medical emergency” and called for urgent measures to protect public health. As a precaution, many schools and colleges have switched to online classes and in-person attendance has been suspended for students in Classes 10 and 12.
Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) have also suspended physical classes until November 22. The Supreme Court has also taken action, directing all states in the Delhi-NCR region to strictly implement the anti-pollution Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in its highest level, Stage 4. The court has emphasised the responsibility of states to ensure a pollution-free environment for all citizens and declared that the restrictions will remain in place until further notice.
Under GRAP Stage 4 restrictions, trucks carrying non-essential items are not allowed into Delhi unless they use clean fuel. Non-essential light commercial vehicles from outside Delhi are also prohibited except for electric vehicles or those using CNG or BS-VI diesel fuel. All construction activities have been halted, including highways, roads and flyovers.