The air quality in Delhi has taken a perilous turn as the city now holds the unwanted title of being the most polluted in the world. The Air Quality Index (AQI) has skyrocketed to a staggering 700, prompting health experts to sound the alarm, particularly for pregnant women and children.
As a result, primary schools in Delhi have been ordered to remain closed until November 10, with the possibility of online classes for students from the 6th to 12th grades.
While it’s tempting to point fingers at the neighboring states, the blame for this dire situation lies closer to home. According to the Delhi Environment Minister, Gopal Rai, it’s not Punjab’s stubble burning that’s primarily responsible for the pollution, but rather the practices in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. He also criticized the Central Government for failing to deliver on promises, particularly with regard to the much-touted smog tower.
Delhi has now earned the unenviable distinction of topping the list of the ten most polluted cities in the world. In this disheartening ranking, Kolkata stands in third place and Mumbai at fifth. Today, the city’s AQI has reached a shocking 701, surpassing the hazardous threshold.
The AQI in Delhi has witnessed a drastic and alarming increase. Just two years ago, on November 5, 2021, it stood at 500. Now, in 2023, it has nearly doubled, reaching 999. Such rapid deterioration is a cause for great concern, as it poses severe health risks to the residents of the national capital.
With over 500 real-time AQI levels and a PM2.5 concentration that exceeds the World Health Organization’s annual guidelines by a staggering 96.2 times, the situation demands immediate attention and action. The coming days are critical, and addressing this escalating pollution crisis is of paramount importance for the well-being of Delhi’s citizens.
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