The dense fog continued to blanket Delhi-NCR on Monday morning, leading to significant disruptions in train schedules. Several Delhi-bound passenger trains, including the Purushottam Express, Shramjeevi Express, Jammu Mail, Punjab Express, INDP NDLS Express, UP Sampark Kranti Express, Sainik Express, Jammu Rajdhani Express, and Hirakund Express, were delayed as of 6 AM.

Passengers Voice Concerns
The severe fog compounded by air pollution left passengers frustrated. Rahul, a commuter at New Delhi Railway Station, said, “I have been living in Delhi for 6 years now. I urge the government to take proper measures; everyone’s condition is bad. Environmental action needs to be taken very soon.”

Another traveller, Ankit Gujar from Amroha, Uttar Pradesh, expressed similar concerns, stating, “We have to face a lot of issues here. The air is polluted, and breathing is difficult. I live in a village where the air is much cleaner.”

Air Pollution Hits ‘Severe Plus’ Levels
The foggy conditions are attributed not just to adverse weather but also to critically high air pollution levels. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi plunged to ‘severe plus’ levels on Monday morning, recording a staggering 483 at 7 AM, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Impact on Flights
Five Delhi-bound flights have been diverted to Jaipur and Dehradun due to low visibility at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) in the national capital on Monday. According to the sources, four flights have been diverted to Jaipur while a single flight has been diverted to Dehradun.

GRAP Stage IV Activated to Combat Pollution
In response to the escalating air quality crisis, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has implemented Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) starting Monday.

What is GRAP Stage IV?
Stage IV is the most stringent response under GRAP, enacted when the AQI surpasses 450. Measures include:

  • Restricting Truck Traffic: Only essential commodity trucks or vehicles using LNG, CNG, or BS-VI diesel are allowed into Delhi.
  • Ban on Older Diesel Vehicles: Medium and heavy goods vehicles registered in Delhi with BS-IV or older engines are prohibited unless carrying essential goods or services.
  • Light Commercial Vehicle Restrictions: LCVs registered outside Delhi are restricted unless they run on electric, CNG, or BS-VI diesel engines.

As Delhi grapples with worsening air quality and fog, authorities are urging residents to limit outdoor activities and use masks to mitigate health risks. Meanwhile, passengers and residents alike are calling for more robust environmental policies to address the twin challenges of pollution and poor visibility.