“Delhi’s Battle with severe Air Pollution: Emergency meeting called by CM Kejriwal”

New Delhi, Nov 6 – Delhi continues to grapple with hazardous air quality, remaining in the ‘severe’ category for the fifth consecutive day on Monday. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the overall air quality index reached 432 at 11:30 a.m. Various areas in the region, including Delhi University, Terminal 3 airport, Noida, IIT Delhi, and Gurugram, recorded alarming AQI levels, categorized as ‘critical’ by SAFAR data at 7 am.

Pusa and Lodhi Road reported AQI levels of 407 and 450, both falling into the ‘severe’ category. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the entire National Capital Region (NCR) on Sunday to mitigate the deteriorating air quality. Under Stage IV, only CNG, electric, and BS VI-compliant vehicles from other states are allowed entry, with exceptions for essential services. Restrictions on construction work for linear public projects and a 50% work-from-home mandate for government and private offices were also enforced.

Analysis by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has linked the surge in pollution levels in the capital between November 1 and November 15 to the increase in stubble-burning incidents in Punjab and Haryana. In response to the worsening air quality, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has called for a high-level meeting at 12:00 pm today to address the city’s escalating air pollution crisis. The meeting will involve Delhi’s Environment Minister, Gopal Rai, and officials from relevant departments. The city grapples with an alarming air pollution situation.