Delhi residents struggle for breath against toxic air as AQI crosses 'severe' level

New Delhi, Nov 18: As winter descends upon North India, the familiar spectre of severe air pollution has once again engulfed Delhi and its surroundings, even triggering judicial intervention, diversion, and cancellation of a few flights as the sun struggles to shine amid thick cloudy smog.

The Supreme Court, responding to the worsening AQI (Air Quality Index) in the National Capital Region (NCR), has ordered the suspension of physical classes for students up to grade 12 across Delhi. If you are out in the open, you can smell toxic in the air, it irritates your throat as well as your eyes.

The recent directive issued by the highest court is on the backdrop of a particularly hazardous smog spell. It calls for stringent implementation of the highest tier of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), aimed at mitigating the region's toxic air crisis.

A bench comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and Augustine George Masih noted the gravity of the situation and criticised the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for its delayed enforcement of GRAP measures.

The Court highlighted the reactive, rather than preventive, stance taken by the authorities. "The approach adopted by the Commission seems to be one of waiting for AQI to improve, which is contrary to the preventive steps mandated by the Court's 2018 order," remarked the bench, emphasising that action should precede deterioration, not follow it as reported by Bar & Bench.

Under the current conditions, the AQI in Delhi has hovered in the "severe" category, often crossing 500 plus, a level considered hazardous. The Court's order mandates that the measures under Stage IV of GRAP remain in effect regardless of temporary improvements in air quality.

In such circumstances, the authorities have to see that all construction activities are halted, restricting vehicle usage, and advising residents to limit outdoor exposure. The Central and state governments of Delhi NCR are expected to submit compliance reports, detailing their adherence to the ordered measures, before the Court reconvenes on November 22.

The Persistent Plague of Air Pollution

The Supreme Court's directive in itself reflects how the situation is becoming difficult in Delhi as it recurs annually. Despite incremental policy changes, the region's air pollution remains a persistent issue, worsened by a combination of factors.

The key culprits are well-known vehicular emissions, industrial pollutants, construction dust, and the continuing stubble burning by farmers in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.

Stubble burning, a cost-effective method for clearing crop residues, releases a vast amount of particulate matter (PM2.5), contributing to the hazardous smog that engulfs Delhi each winter.

The Court also urges state authorities to help curb stubble-burning incidents. It has been witnessed that despite repeated interventions, there have been no alternate methods adopted by the farmers neither stat authorities have encouraged it. In addition, there has been ineffective enforcement, that has resulted in a continuing cycle of pollution and an increase in the toxic air.

Every winter brings stagnant atmospheric conditions, trapping pollutants close to the ground and causing a sharp spike in particulate matter. Air pollution in North India, particularly in Delhi, has become a seasonal crisis.

Annual data highlights a grim pattern: each year, during October and November, the AQI levels in Delhi surge, often making it one of the most polluted cities globally. The city's geographical layout, surrounded by industrial and agricultural regions, exacerbates the problem.

Dr Dashvinder, a well-known doctor in west Delhi agreed that the number of chest congestion cases has gone up since the last couple of weeks and advised “masses to avoid exposure in the open and must wear a mask while travelling, more so for the old and children.”

Efforts to mitigate the pollution crisis have included bans on firecrackers, restrictions on vehicular traffic, and temporary halts on construction activities. However, in many places, one can see that the restrictions are not being followed.

These measures have met with limited success due to sporadic implementation and enforcement. In 2017, The Graded Response Action Plan was introduced. It was designed to provide a structured approach to air quality management. Today we are at the fag end of the year 2024. The Court's latest observations suggest delays in activating the plan's higher stages have undermined its effectiveness and conditions continue to worsen rather than improve.

The Way Forward

The latest Supreme Court intervention highlights how bad the condition is and how helpless residents are struggling and battling against all odd of air quality crisis.

However, the challenge continues for the authorities who need sustained and coordinated efforts across state boundaries, and without addressing the root causes such as vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, and stubble burning, North India's air quality crisis is likely to persist.

In the meantime, the suspension of physical classes is a temporary but necessary measure to protect the city's youngest and most vulnerable residents from the toxic air.

As Delhi braces itself for another season of suffocating smog, the call for more long-term strategies to combat air pollution has never been more urgent. The authorities need to involve the Resident Welfare Associations, and local NGOs and strict fines for those violating it.

The question remains whether this latest push from the judiciary will catalyse the decisive actions needed to clear the air, as millions of residents and tourists suffer silently and helplessly. Action is needed now or the toxic air is further going to take its toll more dangerous for the old, sick and children.