Delhi has turned into a gas chamber and this has become a yearly story for the national capital. The Air Quality Index (AQI level) in Delhi is in the 'hazardous' category, as per the data from Central Pollution Control Board on Friday (November 3).

The AQI at Indira Gandhi International Airport was recorded at 473, the levels in Dwarka sector 8 was 480, ITO recorded 433 AQI, 438 in Lodhi Road, 486 in RK Puram and over 500 in Anand Vihar.

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh | Air quality in Noida continues to deteriorate. Latest visuals from the city.

AQI in Noida Sector 125 at 400 in 'Very Poor' category; in Sector 62 at 483, Sector 1 at 413 and Sector 116 at 415 in 'Severe' category. pic.twitter.com/AEx6GbbGOH— ANI (@ANI) November 3, 2023

The deteriorating air quality in Delhi-NCR prompted an immediate ban on non-essential construction work and the closure of primary schools in the capital.

As a dense and pungent haze blanketed the skyline of Delhi-NCR, the concentration of PM2.5, fine particulate matter that can penetrate deep into the respiratory system and trigger health problems, exceeded the safe limit of 60 micrograms per cubic metre by seven to eightfold at multiple locations throughout the region.

Restrictions have been imposed on the plying of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel four-wheelers as well.

#WATCH | Delhi: Sprinkling of water being done in the Lodhi Road area by Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), as a measure against the rise in Air Quality Index (AQI) in the city. pic.twitter.com/r1qn4M6IX4

— ANI (@ANI) November 3, 2023

Government and private primary schools in Delhi had been closed for two days from November 2 as pollution worsened and Section 144 was enforced in Haryana.

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai has called an emergency meeting on Friday to review the situation. The Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has been implemented to curb air pollution.

Rai said it is wrong to think that the Delhi government can control pollution completely because the matter of pollution is not of Delhi alone. He said sources outside Delhi cause twice the pollution in the national capital than the sources within the city.

"The Delhi government is working on a war-footing. It is a result of the efforts of CM Arvind Kejriwal that, as per the report of the Centre, Delhi experienced more than 200 days of good air quality. But the task remains. The weather change takes place after November 1 and the next 10-15 says are crucial. We will focus more to control the situation," Rai said.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), a statutory body responsible for developing strategies to combat pollution in the region, said the pollution levels are only "expected to increase further" owing to highly unfavourable meteorological and climatic conditions.

Scientists have warned of further deterioration of air quality in Delhi-NCR over the next two weeks.

Air pollution in India resulted in 1.67 million deaths in 2019 -- the largest pollution-related death toll in any country in the world -- and accounted for US $36.8 billion in economic losses, according to a new study by researchers from the Global Observatory on Pollution and Health at Boston College, the Indian Council of Medical Research, and the Public Health Foundation of India.

Also read: Delhi pollution: Upgrade your mask to keep your lungs safe

(Edited by : Amrita)

First Published:Nov 3, 2023 10:21 AM IST