Delhi AQI hits season's worst as protesters demand clean-air policy
What's the story
Delhi is reeling under its worst air quality of the season, with a thick layer of smog and a sharp drop in temperatures. The city's Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 354 on Monday morning, which falls under the "very poor" category, according to Central Pollution Control Board data. This was a slight improvement from Sunday's AQI of 390, which also fell in the same category.
Pollution levels
Several monitoring stations recorded severe pollution levels
Despite the slight improvement, several monitoring stations recorded severe pollution levels. Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 379, ITO 376, Chandni Chowk 360, Okhla Phase-2 348, and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium 316. Indira Gandhi International Airport (T3) also recorded an AQI of 305. In neighboring areas like Noida and Gurugram too, the air quality remained poor. Noida Sector 62 recorded an AQI of 342, Sector 1 325, and Sector 116 339. Meanwhile, Gurugram's Sector 51 recorded an AQI of 327.
Weather update
Weather conditions in Delhi
The weather in Delhi has also taken a turn for the worse, with maximum temperatures settling at 28.1 degrees Celsius on Sunday, which is 1.4 notches below normal. The minimum temperature was recorded at 11.7 degrees Celsius, while the season's lowest minimum temperature was recorded on Saturday at 11 degrees Celsius. The Air Quality Early Warning System predicts that Delhi's air quality will remain in the "very poor" category for the next several days.
Public outcry
Protest held at India Gate against toxic air crisis
Amid the worsening pollution, a protest was held at India Gate, where parents and children demanded immediate government action to address the toxic air crisis. The protest saw hundreds of people, including environmental activists. However, several protesters were detained for gathering without permission. Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Devesh Kumar Mahla said that "only Jantar Mantar is a designated protest site," adding that "permission must be obtained through the proper procedure."
Protest
Demands for clean-air policy
Protesters held placards that read "Smog se Azadi!" and "Breathing is killing me." "This is a health emergency, not a blame game....The government must deliver a clean-air policy now," said a protester. A doctor who was among the protesters said, "Every third child in Delhi already has damaged lungs, they'll live nearly ten years less than kids growing up in cleaner air. Long-term exposure leads to heart disease, stroke....The WHO says most of this is preventable, but where's the action?