Delhi woke up to choking smog today as the Air Quality Index (AQI) surged past 480, placing the city firmly in the ‘severe’ category. The government has announced a two-day closure of schools and suspended all construction activities under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) – Stage IV.
Former Environment Minister Gopal Rai urged citizens to avoid outdoor activities, stating, “The situation is alarming. Vehicular emissions and stubble burning continue to be major contributors.”
Health experts have warned of rising respiratory cases in hospitals. The Delhi government has requested neighboring states to curb stubble burning, while the Supreme Court is set to hear a pollution-control review plea tomorrow.
