Delhi implements curbs amid soaring AQI: Construction banned, vehicle limits

New Delhi, December 22: The central government instated Stage-3 curbs to combat escalating air pollution in Delhi-NCR, prohibiting non-essential construction activities. Additionally, restrictions on BS III petrol and BS IV diesel vehicles were imposed. State governments in the NCR region were urged to decide on discontinuing physical classes.

Delhi's minimum temperature, 7.4 degrees Celsius, aligned with normal winter conditions, as forecasted by the IMD. The day projected light rainfall and anticipated shallow to moderate fog. At 8.30 am, the Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 397, categorised as "very poor." Vehicles contributed 35 per cent to PM2.5 levels, biomass burning 34 per cent, and waste burning 6 per cent. A notable shift from the previous day saw a decrease in vehicle emissions.

Biomass burning, a nocturnal practice, contributed significantly. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee flagged 43 hotspots of biomass burning to municipal authorities. Forecasts predict Delhi's air quality to remain "very poor" for the next three days, extending to "poor" in the subsequent six days, as stated by the Early Warning System for Delhi.

As per reports, the Biomass burning involves open combustion of firewood, dung, and leaves, often seen during colder nights. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee alerted the Municipal Corporation about 43 hotspots of such burning this week.

Projections anticipate Delhi's air quality to persist in the "very poor" range for the next three days. The Early Warning System (EWS) for Delhi, a forecasting model by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, indicated an expectation of "very poor" to "poor" air quality until the subsequent six days, lasting from December 22 to December 24.