Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has taken the crucial step of closing all government and private primary schools in Delhi for the next two days due to the deteriorating air quality. The decision to implement this action plan as an emergency response to poor air quality levels comes in the wake of the government’s determination to combat rising pollution levels in the city.
The central government has also issued a ban on non-essential construction work in Delhi-NCR, as a thick layer of noxious haze has enveloped the capital, pushing pollution levels into the “severe” category for the first time this season. Scientists are cautioning that pollution levels are likely to increase further in Delhi-NCR over the next two weeks, raising concerns among healthcare professionals about a potential surge in respiratory problems.
A concerning fact is that 18 out of 37 monitoring stations in Delhi have recorded Air Quality Index (AQI) values in the “severe” category. Specific areas with alarming AQI readings include Anand Vihar, Bawana, Burari Crossing, Dwarka Sector 8, Jahangirpuri, Mundka, NSIT Dwarka, Najafgarh, Narela, Nehru Nagar, New Moti Bagh, Okhla Phase 2, Patparganj, Punjabi Bagh, R K Puram, Rohini, Shadipur, and Wazirpur. These high AQI levels signify a severe threat to public health and necessitate immediate action.
This proactive response by the Delhi government, along with the central government’s restrictions on construction activities, underscores the gravity of the air quality crisis in the region. Efforts to mitigate pollution and safeguard public health must remain a top priority in the face of these challenging environmental conditions.
