Delhi Gasps for Air: AQI in 'Hazardous' Zone, Politics Over Pollution Escalates

This special report focuses on the severe air pollution crisis gripping New Delhi, where the Air Quality Index (AQI) has entered the 'Hazardous' category. The discussion covers the political blame game between parties, the status of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), and public protests. The reporter on the ground states, 'this has become one of a kind of a national emergency, which I think politicians and policy makers should be talking about and working on it.' Despite AQI levels remaining in the 'Very Poor' to 'Severe' range, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has decided not to implement stricter GRAP-3 restrictions for now, citing a marginal improving trend. Meanwhile, cloud seeding trials conducted by the Delhi government and IIT Kanpur to induce artificial rain have failed to produce showers due to low humidity, though they provided some data on minor pollution reduction. Public frustration is growing, leading to protests at India Gate where citizens demanded accountability and effective solutions from the government.