Online classes and construction ban as toxic haze covers Delhi
Wednesday, 2025/12/17196 words3 minutes1159 reads
The Indian capital, Delhi, is currently engulfed in a toxic haze, precipitating a severe air quality crisis that has prompted authorities to implement drastic measures. The city's air quality index (AQI) has surged to levels more than 30 times the World Health Organization's recommended limit, posing significant health risks, particularly to vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.
This environmental calamity is a result of a complex interplay of factors, including industrial emissions, vehicular exhaust, plummeting temperatures, and the seasonal agricultural practice of crop stubble burning in neighboring states. The situation is exacerbated by unfavorable meteorological conditions, such as low wind speeds and high moisture levels, which impede the dispersion of pollutants.
In response to this dire situation, the Commission for Air Quality Management has invoked the highest level of its graded response action plan. This entails stringent measures, including the prohibition of older diesel vehicles from entering the city, a moratorium on construction activities, and the transition of schools to online or hybrid learning models. These interventions aim to mitigate the immediate health impacts of the pollution crisis while highlighting the urgent need for long-term, sustainable solutions to address Delhi's recurring air quality issues.
