A blanket of smog enveloped Delhi on Wednesday morning, as pollution levels touched hazardous limits once again. Data from the the air quality index website showed that PM 10 levels (particulate matters that are 10 or less than 10 micrometres in diametre) touched 999 micrograms per cubic metres, much higher than the safe limit of 100 micrograms. Levels of PM 2.5 (particulate matters that are 2.5 or less than 2.5 micrometres in diametre) also shot up to hazardous level of 743 micrograms in various areas, which is several times higher than the safe limit of 60 micrograms per cubic metres.

Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Tuesday had said the government would soon initiate measures to curb the rising pollution. Among the steps proposed are using sprinklers on roads, putting up mist fountains at five major traffic junctions, installing chimneys in crematoriums and waste management measures to minimise methane emissions. The Aam Aadmi Party government also plans to revive the Swachch Delhi-app and start vacuum cleaning of streets. However, the government did not specify any deadline for these measures, reported The Financial Express.

On Monday, the Union Environment Ministry had directed states around Delhi to enforce a ban on stubble burning (the burning of the straw left behind after the harvest of wheat and other crops). The ministry had also asked municipal bodies in Delhi to prevent the open burning of solid waste. The environment department will meet secretaries of the states on Friday to review the situation.

Credit: Air Quality Index