After early relief, Pollution is back with a vengeance

Report- Ritwik Dutta

New Delhi— "I have asthma but I have to go out every morning at 6 am since I work as a cook in the Vasant Kunj area and I stay near Janakpuri," stated Shamira (name changed)

She stays in a house with a broken ceiling and a cracked ventilator.

Pollution is impacting lives differently especially in the last few days, as it has aggravated in the last few days.

Over the last few days

The weather In Delhi touched "severe" this season for the first time.

 Maximum PM2.5 levels across the Major cities in NCR Region.

Severe is considered to be the worst condition in the AQI category and ranges from 400 to 500, while 300-400 is considered to be very poor.

Many residents living in the area of Noida complained of chest congestion and difficulty breathing.

Delhi government took several steps – like using smog guns and water sprinklers in different areas which have failed to reduce the impact of pollution in the capital state.

Different hospitals have reported spikes in health-issues related due to pollution such as coughing, breathing, running nose, sore throat, and tightness of breath.

Some of the preventive measures and protections that can be taken by people are cough syrup, wearing masks, and nebulizers.

Delhi is considered one of the most polluted cities in the world and suffers from pollution every year.

Why does Delhi suffer every year?

During the time of Diwali which happens mostly in the month of October, Delhi sees a spurt in pollution. One of the other factors which contribute to pollution is the stubble burning in the neighboring state of Punjab roughly at the same time period.

The Blame Game and the Admittance

Despite this routine annual affair, both states are busy blaming each other for their failure in controlling pollution.

The BJP asked for the resignation of Arvind Kejriwal and his counterpart Bhagwant Mann citing their failure to curb pollution; while the Aam Aadmi Party pinned the responsibility for firecrackers on the BJP, stating they encourage people to burn crackers during festivals.

Kejriwal Concedes  

However, addressing a press conference in New Delhi on Friday along with the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Kejriwal finally owed responsibility for stubble farming in Punjab but defended the farmers saying "they(farmers) have not got the solution the day they find the solution they will stop burning the stubble". He also mentioned how the center failed to offer an alternative option for stubble removal that might reduce the impact of pollution.

GRAP IV regulations come into effect

The Delhi CM also announced the closure of Primary Schools and outdoor activities as the GRAP IV came into effect on Friday. Construction work had already been stopped under GRAP 3 implementation to prevent the escalation of the pollution situation in the city. Only a few places are still being allowed to continue construction work with proper arrangements. To compensate the workers for the losses incurred in terms of daily wages, the government has announced Rs 5,000 as financial help.

Here is the list of other measures prescribed under GRAP-IV implementation.

• Ban on plying of four-wheeler diesel light motor vehicles in Delhi-NCR. The exemption has been made to BS-6 and emergency services vehicles.
• Ban on Delhi-registered diesel-run medium and heavy goods vehicles in the capital.
• Ban on entry of trucks other than electric and CNG ones in Delhi; those carrying essential commodities are exempted.
• Closure of Industries not running on clean fuels is ordered, however, exemptions have been extended to milk and dairy units and those involved in the manufacturing of life-saving medical equipment and devices.