New Delhi | With rising air pollution in Delhi, the city is seeing a surge in the sale of air purifiers and masks, according to several traders and pharmacists.
A thick layer of smog covered Delhi on Tuesday morning, as the city's air quality dropped to the 'very poor' category, with 27 monitoring stations reporting alarming levels, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
In response to the worsening air quality, the Centre has implemented stage two of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), introducing several restrictions.
As levels of PM10 -- small particles that can enter the lungs and affect heart and lung health -- rise, many residents are expressing concern for their health and that of family members with respiratory issues.
Various market association traders report a considerable increase in the sale of air purifiers, as people seek to support a healthier lifestyle.
"Many customers are now actively inquiring about the quality and prices of air purifiers at our store, especially after Dussehra," said Anju, a salesperson at Chroma. "In previous months, customers would ask about a variety of products, but now most are focused on air purifiers."
People are buying air purifiers not only for their homes but also for their offices.
According to Vijendre Mohan, owner of the Air India Expert, demand for air purifiers has surged this year compared to the previous year.
"We've seen over a 70 per cent increase in sales for home air purifiers, while sales in workplaces have surged by 200 percent," Mohan told PTI.
"People are increasingly worried about the health effects of polluted air, which is driving this sudden spike in purchases," he explained.
This surge in sales is largely due to growing concerns about air quality amid rising pollution levels, he added.
There has also been a notable increase in mask sales. An Apollo Pharmacy salesperson reported a daily rise in mask purchases, especially N95 masks.
"Customers have been buying masks from our shop daily, particularly over the past two weeks," said the salesperson.
New Delhi | Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Tuesday announced a slew of anti-pollution measures, including extra metro trips, deployment of more than 6,000 MCD staff for road dust control and 1,800 more traffic personnel at congestion points.
He made the announcements at a press conference here after Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)-II came into force in the national capital in view of the surge in pollution levels in the city.
Rai said he has written to his counterparts in neighbouring states like Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan to not send diesel buses in Delhi. He alleged pollution from neighbouring states contributes significantly to the pollution levels here.
"I urge the central government and CAQM to implement anti-pollution measures in BJP-ruled neighbouring states, from which a large influx of buses enters Delhi," he said.
"We have written to the transport ministers of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, urging them to either stop the buses coming to Delhi or switch to electric buses," he said.
He said 1,800 additional traffic personnel will be deployed at 97 congestion points across the city, while inspections at construction-demolition sites will also be intensified under the GRAP II.
He further said the Delhi Metro will make 40 additional train trips daily from Wednesday and the frequency of DTC buses will also be increased to encourage people to take public transport to aid the fight against pollution.
"With the change in weather in Delhi, we are also witnessing an increase in pollution levels. This trend is not limited to Delhi, it is being observed across North India," he said.
"The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has established four levels to control pollution. Currently, the Air Quality Index (AQI) is above 300, which has led to the implementation of GRAP Stage II," he said.
The minister said that a meeting was held where measures were formulated to implement the necessary restrictions.
"Water spraying will be increased. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) will deploy 6,200 workers for this purpose. We have directed an increase in water sprinkling at pollution hotspots. The MCD has been instructed to commence this from October 25," he said.
According to officials, more than 500 teams from 13 different departments have been deployed across the city for monitoring pollution causing activities.
Rai said each dedicated team will inspect two construction-demolition sites across the city daily and submit reports to "war rooms".
Also, power DISCOMs have been instructed to ensure continuous supply to ensure diesel generators are not used, Rai said.
The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMA) and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi have been directed to propose alternatives to increase parking rates, which is hiked under the GRAP II, he said.
All Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) and other locations where night duty staff are deployed will be asked to provide heaters by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), Rai added.
"The Metro operates 4,200 trips daily, and from tomorrow onwards there will be an additional 40 trips to encourage public transport use. Similarly, the frequency of DTC buses is also being increased," Rai said.
The Central Pollution Control Board on Monday invoked the second stage of the GRAP in the national capital amid the deteriorating air quality levels, imposing restrictions on the use of coal and firewood as well as diesel generator sets.
The restrictions came into force from 8 am on Tuesday.
Under the GRAP stage-II, ban on the use of coal and firewood, including tandoors at hotels, restaurants, and open eateries, as well as diesel generator sets (except for emergency and essential services) has been imposed.
Parking fees has also been enhanced in the city under stage II of GRAP to discourage private transport.
