Sun Nov 17 05:18:45 UTC 2024: ## Delhi Chokes Under Fifth Day of Severe Smog; Air Quality Remains ‘Severe’
**New Delhi, November 17, 2024** – A thick blanket of smog continued to shroud Delhi for a fifth consecutive day on Sunday, plunging the city into a severe air quality crisis. The Air Quality Index (AQI) remained firmly in the “severe” category, reaching a grim 428 in the morning, according to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR). Most monitoring stations across the capital reported “severe” conditions, including Indira Gandhi International Airport (445), ITO (411), Anand Vihar (457), and Siri Fort (405).
The hazardous air quality led to significant disruptions. Over 30 trains arriving at New Delhi and Anand Vihar Railway Stations experienced delays of two to nine hours. SpiceJet flights to and from Darbhanga were also affected. The poor visibility caused by the smog added to the travel chaos.
In response to the worsening situation, the Delhi government has implemented Stage III of its Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which includes a ban on private BS III petrol and BS IV diesel vehicles. In the first 24 hours of the stricter measures, Delhi Traffic Police issued over 550 challans, resulting in fines exceeding ₹1 crore. An additional ₹4.8 crore in fines were levied for vehicles lacking Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCCs). Other restrictions under GRAP-3 include the prohibition of interstate non-electric-CNG buses and certain construction activities.
To further mitigate the pollution, staggered office timings have been announced for government offices, and all primary schools have switched to online classes. Despite these measures, the smog continues to pose a significant health risk to Delhi’s residents. The minimum temperature on Sunday morning was a chilly 15 degrees Celsius, while the maximum is expected to reach 30 degrees Celsius.
First Piper 