Tag: Right To Breathe

Delhi’s Air Quality Deteriorates To ‘Poor’ Again

By LokMarg

Delhi’s air quality has once again taken a turn for the worse, dropping to “poor” at 7 am today, December 12. This decline follows a moderate air quality reading, on average, over the past 24 hours, with a reading taken at 4 pm on December 11. Unfortunately, Delhi has been grappling with severe air pollution for the past month.

The average air quality of Delhi as per the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) AQI index was 259 and has been categorised as ‘poor’.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, Delhi’s air quality levels were recorded at 274 in Punjabi Bagh, 282 in Rohini, and 289 in RK Puram. Other areas such as Major Dhyan Chand Station reported an AQI of 245, Najafgarh recorded 224, Nehru Nagar had 310, and North Campus, DU, had 206.

Delhi’s Air Quality improved to moderate at 4pm on Wednesday after it remained in the ‘poor’ category on Wednesday morning.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has revoked the stringent GRAP Stage IV and III restrictions in Delhi-NCR, following the Supreme Court’s permission to relax these restrictions to GRAP Stage II. This decision comes after the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi-NCR showed significant improvement, with the average AQI reading dropping to 165, categorized as ‘moderate’.

As a result, several restrictions imposed under Stage 4 have been lifted, including the ban on diesel-run medium and heavy vehicles (BS-IV or below) registered in Delhi, except those carrying essential goods. However, restrictions under GRAP Stage II will remain in force, including a ban on the use of coal and firewood, including tandoors at hotels, restaurants, and open eateries.

The CAQM will continue to monitor the air quality and may reinstate stricter measures if the AQI levels deteriorate. Citizens are advised to strictly adhere to the citizen charter and take necessary precautions to minimize pollution. (ANI)

Delhiites Have Given Up On Right To Breathe

‘Delhiites Have Given Up On Right To Breathe; And Govts Couldn’t Care Less’

By LokMarg

Charanjeet Singh, a resident of New Delhi, narrates how he shifts base to Nodia every year during the October–January period as Capital AQI keeps worsening. His views:

I came to Delhi about 20 years ago in search for bread & butter and since then, I have been living in the national capital. However, for the past few years (about eight to 10 years), things are constantly getting worse and none of the corrective or preventive measures (both visible and claimed) taken by the government brings any relief. Name a thing – air, water, river etc, every resource is deteriorating at a dangerous pace and Delhi has literally transformed into a gas chamber, especially between October and January.

The situation during the rest of the year is also not very pleasant or commendable, but with the onset of winters, it becomes literally impossible, especially for aged persons and those with any kind of respiratory or chronic ailment, to breathe. Living in one of the most polluted cities of the world, Delhi, silently or boastingly, takes a toll on each and every of its citizens round the year and it intensifies during this period.

All government schemes like odd–even formula, traffic signal on car off, etc., fall flat on its face every year while the two smog towers are dysfunctional till date as against the claims of the MCD. Apart from this, every mechanical unit has a capacity after which it exhausts its potential and things are back to square one. I think the people of Delhi have made the situation a part and parcel of their lives and have, in a way, adapted to it just for the sake of earning a livelihood. If you want to survive, you need to get out of your house and face the adversities or remain indoors as much as you can if you don’t need to go out to earn money. That’s it!

ALSO READ: ‘How To Create A Safe Air Haven Indoors In Delhi’

Leaving behind air, the quality and quantity of water has also become a major concern. Most of the densely populated areas of Delhi face this problem throughout the year and arranging for at least drinking water has also added up in the day to day itinerary. I would also like to point out the situation of river Yamuna which is, on the records, the life line of Delhi.

Last year I happened to go to the banks of the river along with my friend and his mother who are from Bihar for the celebration of Chath. It was nearly impossible to stand there because of the stink and when my friend’s mother came out of the river after performing the Pooja, her Saari was full of filth and oil. How is one supposed to drink this water even if it is being treated before reaching our houses?

As a citizen of Delhi, this is absolutely disgraceful. The Delhi government is like paper tigers – very progressive in terms of policies but there is no political will and zero implementation. People are getting aware – usage of masks is visibly increased, people avoiding going out without work (even on weekends), etc. but for many, there has been no hiding from this poisonous smog. Most people like us, who have the option to shift out of Delhi during this period without hampering their work, are doing so but this is not the solution and the end of it. It is also a fact that a change of government cannot improve things drastically but positive steps need to be taken to save Delhi and its people.

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As told to Rajat Rai