Delhi air quality slips to ‘very poor’ ahead of Diwali as stubble burning continues, AAP, BJP trade barbs

With Diwali just days away, Delhi’s air quality remains a growing concern. Though the Air Quality Index (AQI) improved slightly to 307 on Monday, it still falls in the 'very poor' category and is projected to touch 'severe' levels by Thursday, the day of Diwali. 

Experts warn that emissions from firecrackers and stubble burning in neighbouring states, combined with unfavourable weather conditions, are likely to exacerbate the situation.

Amid this, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have begun pointing fingers at each other for lack of efforts towards solving the issue of air pollution.

The return of toxic air

Every winter, the national capital and its surrounding regions are enveloped in thick smog, driven by a mix of farm residue burning, industrial emissions, and firecrackers used during Diwali celebrations. The System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) forecasts that Delhi’s AQI could breach the 400 mark on Diwali, potentially pushing pollution into the 'severe' category and lingering for at least six days.

Delhi’s AQI, recorded at 356 on Sunday, is already straining the city's air quality. According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, readings at Bawana, Burari, and Jahangirpuri stations have hit 'severe' levels. Pollution hotspots in Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, and Noida also recorded 'very poor' air quality, while Faridabad and Gurugram reported 'poor' conditions. 

CPCB data categorizes AQI levels as follows:

0-50: ‘Good’

51-100: ‘Satisfactory’

101-200: ‘Moderate’

201-300: ‘Poor’

301-400: ‘Very Poor’

401-500: ‘Severe’

Last week, several parts of Delhi reported pollution levels exceeding 25-30 times the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended safe limits. The Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS) warns that pollution may peak by Diwali, leaving residents bracing for hazardous air.

The air quality was also 'very poor' in neighbouring areas such as Greater Noida, Ghaziabad and Noida and 'poor' in Faridabad and Gurugram.

Stubble burning fuels the crisis

Stubble burning remains a significant challenge despite efforts to curb it. According to CREAMS-Indian Agricultural Research Institute data, stubble burning cases in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, and Madhya Pradesh dropped to 5,337 between 15 September and 27 October this year from 8,395 in the same period last year. However, the burning of crop residue continues to contribute heavily to Delhi’s air woes.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has deployed 26 central teams to coordinate with local authorities in hotspot districts of Punjab and Haryana, aiming to reduce stubble burning incidents ahead of winter sowing.

Firecracker bans and emergency measures

The Delhi government has announced a ban on the manufacturing, sale, and storage of firecrackers ahead of Diwali, a measure implemented annually. However, such bans have proven difficult to enforce, as residents often procure fireworks from other states.

In response to rising pollution, the CAQM activated Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) last week. GRAP, a set of emergency measures to combat air pollution, includes mechanical and vacuum-based road cleaning, water sprinkling, and strict enforcement of dust control protocols. Stage II also bans the use of coal and firewood and prohibits diesel generators for non-emergency services.

BJP vs AAP

The worsening air quality has sparked a fresh round of political exchanges between the BJP and AAP. Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, Vijender Gupta, criticized the AAP government, claiming it has “utterly failed” to control the city’s pollution. 

The people of Delhi are forced to breathe toxic air while the AAP indulges in "hollow promises and low-level politics,” Gupta said.

AAP responded by accusing the BJP of theatrics, suggesting the party should focus on collaborating with BJP-ruled states to address stubble burning. 

Gupta highlighted the alarming pollution levels, stating that the AQI near ITO and Anand Vihar stood at 361 and 405, respectively—placing them in the 'very poor' and 'severe' categories.

"This poses a serious health threat to Delhi residents (who are) blanketed by smog. Yet, the AAP government lacks both the will and a concrete plan to improve the situation," he charged.

In response, AAP argued that the worsening air quality in Anand Vihar is "well established" to be the result of emissions from diesel buses operating at the Kaushambi depot in Uttar Pradesh. The party further alleged that cases of stubble burning are rising daily in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, aggravating the pollution crisis.

With air quality hovering between 'very poor' and 'severe' ahead of Diwali, residents of Delhi are bracing for a challenging week. Emergency measures are in place, but experts caution that pollution levels may spike further, posing serious health risks in the coming days.