New Delhi, Oct 22 (EFE).- New Delhi woke up on Tuesday as the most polluted city on the planet, with a “very poor” air quality and covered by a thick layer of smog early in the morning, prompting authorities to intensify their measures against pollution and issue alerts.
A metro train moves while engulfed in heavy smog near New Delhi, India, 21 October 2024. EFE-EPA/HARISH TYAGI EPA-EFE/HARISH TYAGI
The air quality index (AIQ) in New Delhi stood at 318 on Tuesday, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), which falls under the “very poor” category and is 20 times the daily limit recommended by the World Health Organization.
These levels made the Indian capital the most polluted city in the world on Tuesday, according to the specialized platform IQAir, and led the authorities to order the implementation of Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) of New Delhi to tackle air pollution.
This stage intensifies remedial measures in sectors that contribute most to poor air quality, such as the construction sector, the sweeping and cleaning of roads with water to control the dispersion of dust, and alerts in the media with recommendations for the public, the Commission for Air Quality Management of New Delhi said in a statement.
Other measures include an increase in parking fees, to discourage the use of private vehicles, additional CNG/electric buses as well as increased frequency of metro services.
The commission also recommended avoiding construction activities that generate dust between the months of October and January as well as open burning of solid waste and biomass.
Air pollution levels usually increase at this time of year amid a drop in temperatures, the start of the stubble burning season in the states bordering New Delhi, and the Hindu festival of Diwali, when firecrackers are burst on a large scale.
However, the capital’s authorities banned the production, sale and use of fireworks in September until 2025.
Polluting emissions from vehicles and construction dust are also other major factors that contribute to air pollution in New Delhi. EFE
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