Delhi’s air pollution crisis has reached alarming levels, with the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) soaring to a hazardous 366, according to real-time data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) at 9 a.m. on Wednesday. In response to the deteriorating air quality, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called for the immediate closure of all schools up to Class 5 to protect vulnerable children from the harmful effects of the pollution.
Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva, during a press conference, urged the Delhi government to take urgent action and close both private and government schools. Sachdeva highlighted the heightened risks that children and the elderly face due to the hazardous air quality, pointing out the absence of sufficient government clinics to treat those affected by the pollutants.
“The government has utterly failed to control the rising pollution levels in Delhi. PM 2.5 concentrations have exceeded 400, while PM 10 levels have surpassed 1,000, leading to dangerous conditions for residents,” Sachdeva said.
On Wednesday morning, Delhi witnessed its first dense fog of the season, exacerbating the already poor air quality. With visibility dropping to a mere 100 meters in some areas by 8 a.m., the city experienced “very poor” air quality, marking a sharp decline in living conditions.
The city’s air quality reached hazardous levels, overtaking Lahore in Pakistan, according to the Swiss-based group IQAir’s live rankings, which recorded an AQI score of over 1,000. The figure is deemed “hazardous,” posing significant risks to human health. However, India’s pollution authority reported a more moderate AQI level of around 350, still considered harmful.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) also confirmed that the pollution levels had led to a significant temperature drop in the city, with the temperature dipping to 17°C from 17.9°C on Tuesday. Experts predict that the cold will persist as sunlight remains blocked by the thick smog enveloping the capital.
As the situation worsens, Delhi residents are grappling with the serious health risks posed by the toxic air. The BJP has strongly criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led government for its failure to address the issue effectively, accusing the ruling party of allowing the national capital to turn into a “gas chamber.”
Sources By Agencies
