​Rearguard action, Pg6

Key Highlights:

• Fog season has started in India, causing increased accidents and disruption in northern India.
• Air quality worsens with fog, pushing the Air Quality Index (AQI) into 'severe' categories.
• At least 25 people died and 59 were injured in fog-related road accidents in Uttar Pradesh.
• Delhi experienced airline disruptions with 228 flights cancelled due to fog.
• GRAP-4 emergency restrictions implemented in Delhi, including construction bans and school closures.

Detailed Insights:

• Fog exacerbates existing pollution issues, trapping residual emissions and reducing visibility.
• The Commission for Air Quality Management needs to take proactive, year-round measures.
• Current measures like PUC certificates and Bharat Stage-6 norms are insufficient to address the problem.
• The Indo-Gangetic plains, Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata are experiencing increased pollution levels.
• The Centre's response has been limited to meetings and ineffective exhortations.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Air Quality Index (AQI): A measure of air pollution levels, with higher values indicating poorer air quality.
• GRAP-4: Emergency measures implemented in Delhi to combat severe air pollution.
• Bharat Stage-6: Emission standards for vehicles to reduce air pollution.