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Delhi Chokes: Air Quality Remains Critically Poor
23 Dec
Summary
- Delhi's air quality has been 'very poor' for seven consecutive days.
- New regulations will target e-rickshaw congestion and PUC certificate fines.
- Air quality is forecast to remain 'very poor' until at least December 25.
Delhi is currently experiencing its seventh straight day of 'very poor' air quality, with no immediate relief anticipated until after Christmas. The state government is intensifying efforts to control the escalating pollution levels, focusing on regulating e-rickshaws and enforcing stricter penalties for non-compliant pollution-under-control certificates. These measures aim to alleviate traffic congestion, a significant contributor to the hazardous air.
The Delhi government also plans to introduce 'pooling and sharing e-buses' in the National Capital Region and is cracking down on industries and private companies violating pollution directives. Despite these actions, the Air Quality Index (AQI) has consistently remained in the red zone, indicating severe pollution. Visibility has also been heavily impacted by fog, leading to significant disruptions in flight and train schedules.
Forecasts predict that the 'very poor' air quality will persist through December 25, with potential calm winds and dense fog returning by the end of the month. Temperatures are expected to drop significantly, with minimums reaching between 6°C and 8°C by Christmas, and maximums falling below 20°C from December 24 onwards, as cold northwesterly winds become dominant.
