Delhi's Post-Deepavali Crisis: Urgent Measures Needed

Context: Delhi, the capital city of India, has been reported as the most polluted city in the world following the Deepavali celebrations, according to a survey by Swiss air purifier company IQAir.

Air Quality Index (AQI): Delhi recorded an AQI of 287, the highest globally, surpassing Lahore (Pakistan) and other Indian cities like Mumbai and Kolkata.

Measurement Criteria: The AQI is based on the U.S. methodology and measures PM 2.5 levels, which are detrimental to respiratory health.

Impact of Firecrackers: Despite a ban on firecrackers in Delhi, their usage contributed significantly to the pollution, with levels in some areas being 30 times higher than WHO safe limits.

Current Situation: Air quality continues to deteriorate, with several areas in Delhi entering the “severe” category (AQI value of 400).

Health Implications: The “severe” category of air pollution affects healthy individuals and severely impacts those with pre-existing health conditions.

Comparative Analysis: Patna (Bihar) reported the highest average PM 2.5 pollution on Deepavali day, while Bengaluru showed the lowest levels among major cities.

Calls for Action: Experts suggest phasing out the firecracker industry and promoting community fireworks or lighting of lamps as alternatives to individual firecracker usage.

Emergency Measures: The government has considered various measures, including odd-even vehicle usage rules and artificial rain, to combat the pollution crisis.

Conclusion: The post-Deepavali period has highlighted the severe air pollution problem in Delhi, necessitating urgent and effective measures to protect public health and the environment.

SRIRAM’s