“Delhi Grapples with Severe Pollution as Officials Skip Crucial Meeting.”
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai expressed frustration after senior officials failed to attend a critical meeting aimed at enforcing GRAP Stage 4 measures to combat the capital’s hazardous pollution levels. The meeting, originally scheduled for 12 noon, was postponed due to the absence of key department heads.
Gopal Rai stated, “Despite the alarming rise in pollution, no senior officials from the concerned departments attended the meeting. This negligence is unacceptable.” The minister called for the presence of the Transport Commissioner, MCD Commissioner, Principal Secretary of PWD, Special Commissioner Traffic, and other critical officials in a rescheduled meeting at 3 pm.
- Flights Diverted as Visibility Worsens.
- Air Quality Deteriorates to Emergency Levels.
- Emergency Measures Activated.
Flights Diverted as Visibility Worsens.
Delhi Airport issued a passenger advisory on Monday morning due to severe haze and poor visibility. Eleven flights scheduled to land at Indira Gandhi International Airport were diverted to other cities under ‘Captain Minima’ procedures, which enforce minimum operational standards. The advisory warned passengers of potential disruptions in flight schedules.
Air Quality Deteriorates to Emergency Levels.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi plunged to a hazardous “severe plus” level, recording 490 at 1 pm, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Specific areas reported even higher levels:
- Dwarka Sector 8: 500
- Ashok Vihar: 497
- Mundka, Patparganj, Anand Vihar: 495
- Sonia Vihar: 491
- RK Puram: 483
- Chandni Chowk: 466
- ITO: 447
The daily average AQI climbed sharply to 441 by 4 pm on Sunday and surged to 457 by 7 pm.
Emergency Measures Activated.
In response, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) activated Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR. The move follows an emergency meeting of the GRAP sub-committee, reflecting the urgency to address the deteriorating air quality.
The situation underscores the critical need for coordinated efforts from government departments to mitigate the escalating health and environmental crisis.
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