Delhi Chokes on Hazardous Air Pollution

Delhi and surrounding areas remain engulfed in hazardous air pollution, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) soaring to 500 in several locations, classified as 'severe plus.' The toxic smog has caused major disruptions, with 22 trains delayed and eight flights diverted due to poor visibility. IndiGo Airlines has warned travelers to brace for delays as dense fog continues to affect Delhi, Amritsar, and Chandigarh.

In response, the Delhi government has activated Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), imposing stringent anti-pollution measures. BS-IV and older diesel vehicles have been banned within the capital, and non-essential trucks and light commercial vehicles from outside Delhi are barred entry. Offices have been directed to operate at 50% capacity, while schools have either shut down or shifted to online classes.

Similar restrictions are in place in Gurugram, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddh Nagar, where schools and businesses face additional curbs.

The Supreme Court has stepped in, ordering the immediate and strict enforcement of GRAP-4 measures. It criticized delays in their implementation and ruled that these measures must remain in effect even if AQI levels improve. Any relaxation, the court stated, would require prior approval from the bench.