As pollution levels surge, Delhi is once again engulfed in a dense layer of smog, pushing the Air Quality Index (AQI) into the ‘Severe’ category. The capital city and its surrounding areas have been experiencing hazardous air conditions for the second consecutive day, with the AQI breaching the 400-mark, raising alarms across the city.

Air Quality Crisis Deepens in Delhi

On Thursday morning, Delhi woke up to a blanket of toxic smog as pollution levels reached alarming heights. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported that several areas recorded AQI levels well beyond 400, categorizing the air quality as ‘Severe.’ This poses a serious threat to public health, especially for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with respiratory or heart conditions.

On Wednesday, Delhi’s AQI spiked to 429, and the situation continued to worsen. Some of the most affected areas include Anand Vihar (473), Ashok Vihar (471), Jahangirpuri (470), and Nehru Nagar (462). These numbers indicate extremely hazardous air quality, which can have immediate and severe impacts on health.

Key Affected Areas and AQI Levels:

• Anand Vihar: 473
• Ashok Vihar: 471
• Jahangirpuri: 470
• Nehru Nagar: 462
• Punjabi Bagh: 459
• Okhla Phase 2: 441

The deteriorating air quality is not just limited to central Delhi; peripheral areas like Dwarka, Chandni Chowk, and Narela also reported AQI levels hovering between 400 and 460, adding to the mounting health crisis.

The Health Impact of ‘Severe’ AQI Levels

According to the CPCB, an AQI of 401-500 is classified as ‘Severe,’ meaning that even healthy individuals are likely to experience respiratory distress. For those with pre-existing health conditions, the effects can be far worse, leading to potential respiratory failure or exacerbation of heart and lung diseases.

Prolonged exposure to this level of pollution can lead to chronic conditions, as the air is filled with high concentrations of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), which penetrate deep into the lungs. This puts residents at high risk of developing long-term health issues such as asthma, bronchitis, and cardiovascular diseases.

What’s Causing Delhi’s Toxic Air?

Delhi’s toxic air is a combination of several factors, with stubble burning in neighboring states like Punjab and Haryana being a major contributor. The burning of crop residues has resulted in a thick haze of smoke covering the region, which mixes with local pollutants from vehicular emissions, industrial activities, and construction dust.

Vehicular emissions account for 15.4% of the overall pollution, according to recent reports, with the city’s dense traffic adding to the toxic mix. In addition, meteorological factors such as low wind speeds and high humidity have further worsened the situation, trapping pollutants close to the ground and preventing their dispersion.

Major Causes of Delhi’s Air Pollution:

• Stubble burning in neighboring states
• Vehicular emissions and traffic congestion
• Industrial pollution from nearby factories
• Construction dust and road dust

Authorities Struggle to Control the Pollution Surge

Despite various measures to curb pollution, including the implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), the air quality continues to remain hazardous. Authorities have restricted construction activities, limited the entry of trucks into the city, and even increased parking fees to discourage the use of private vehicles. However, these efforts have done little to bring immediate relief to the residents.

The Ministry of Earth Sciences’ Air Quality Early Warning System has forecast that pollution levels will remain high in the coming days due to unfavorable meteorological conditions, such as low wind speeds and high moisture content in the air, which makes it difficult for pollutants to disperse.

How to Protect Yourself During This Pollution Crisis

With the air quality in Delhi hovering in the ‘Severe’ category, it is crucial for residents to take necessary precautions to protect their health. Here are some important tips to stay safe during this pollution crisis:

Tips to Stay Safe:

• Stay Indoors: Limit outdoor activities, especially in the early mornings and late evenings when pollution levels are typically at their peak.
• Use Air Purifiers: Consider using indoor air purifiers with HEPA filters to reduce the amount of indoor pollution.
• Wear N95 Masks: If stepping outside is unavoidable, wear a high-quality N95 mask to filter out harmful particulate matter.
• Keep Windows Closed: Prevent polluted air from entering your home by keeping windows and doors shut, particularly during high pollution hours.
• Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to help your body flush out toxins and keep your respiratory system functioning optimally.

Read More on Delhi/NCR Updates

Bail Granted After 18 Months in Custody

18 October, New Delhi: A Delhi court has granted bail to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and former minister Satyendar Jain in connection with a ₹4.8 crore money laundering case. Jain was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in May 2022 and had spent more than 18 months in judicial custody. Special Judge Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Court stated that the trial in the case was unlikely to start soon, leading to the decision to release Jain on a personal bond of ₹50,000.

Influence of Manish Sisodia’s Case

Judge Gogne’s decision also referred to the August 9 Supreme Court ruling, which granted bail to former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in the alleged excise policy scam. Jain’s lawyer, Senior Advocate N Hariharan, highlighted this ruling, arguing that bail was granted in several interim PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) cases despite stringent conditions, further supporting Jain’s bail request.

Case Details and ED’s Investigation

Jain’s arrest followed an ED probe that linked him to alleged financial irregularities and disproportionate assets of ₹1.47 crore. The ED had also attached properties worth ₹4.81 crore related to four companies allegedly tied to Jain and his relatives. Despite these charges, Jain’s legal team emphasized the large volume of evidence, which includes 108 witnesses and over 5,000 pages of documents, and argued that the trial would take a significant amount of time to conclude.

Bail Conditions

As part of the bail conditions, Satyendar Jain has been instructed not to contact witnesses, influence the trial, or travel outside India. These conditions ensure that the trial can proceed without any interference from Jain.

Legal Arguments and Comparisons

Senior Advocate Hariharan drew comparisons with the excise policy case, noting that most accused, including Sisodia, were granted bail despite the higher financial stakes involved. Jain had spent more time in custody than many accused in the excise policy case, leading to further arguments for his release on bail.