Schools in Delhi have been asked to run hybrid classes for primary school students and non-essential construction activities have also been banned as air quality worsens in the Indian capital.
Authorities on Tuesday implemented stricter anti-pollution measures, including restricting the movement of freight forwarders in the capital and its suburbs.
According to authorities, Delhi’s air quality has deteriorated to “severe” levels, which could affect healthy people and also severely affect those suffering from pre-existing conditions.
PM2.5 levels in the capital’s air reached 438, according to the Central Pollution Control Board on Wednesday. These are dangerously high concentrations of fine particles that can clog the lungs.
This is nearly 30 times higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) safety limit and about eight times higher than the national average for India. WHO considers a 24-hour average of 15:00 or less to be safe.
Doctors have advised people, especially children and the elderly, to avoid outdoor activities unless absolutely necessary and to wear protective masks when necessary.
Toxic air quality is a recurring problem in Delhi and northern India during winters.
The cause of the problem is not single, but a combination of factors including low wind speeds, industrial emissions, vehicle emissions, falling temperatures, and seasonal burning of crop stubble in nearby states.
The Delhi government is implementing a series of special measures known as GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan) to curb pollution levels.
Phase three of these measures came into effect on Tuesday, including a ban on mining activities, stone crushing and the movement of vehicles transporting dust-generating materials.
As air quality worsened, citizen protests took place in the capital last weekend, sparking political conflict.
On Tuesday, Saurabh Bhardwaj, leader of the opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), accused the Delhi government of “manipulating” air quality data and failing to protect public health.
He said the city’s air quality was still at “alarming” levels despite allegations of manipulation of figures and urged the government to declare a public health emergency.
However, the Delhi government, ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), denied these claims.
“Our government is working very seriously and quickly to control pollution,” Prime Minister Rekha Gupta said.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa told the Hindustan Times that air quality data was publicly available and that he was not trying to manipulate the measurements but had sprinkled water near the air quality monitors to reduce dust.
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