Delhi AQI: Despite the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)-IV in effect across Delhi-NCR, the air quality continues to remain in the “very poor” category. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 382 at 10 am in the national capital on Sunday, November 23.
Delhi’s air quality has deteriorated with the onset of winter, as dense toxic smog blankets the city during morning hours, significantly reducing visibility and raising health concerns for residents. Moreover, dropping temperatures, stagnant winds, stubble burning, meteorological conditions and rising vehicular and industrial emissions continue to add to the worsening pollution levels.
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AQI across Delhi
In several areas of Delhi, AQI readings crossed the 400 mark, placing them in the ‘severe’ category. Bawana, Rohini, Anand Vihar are among the worst hit.
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Bawana (437), Anand Vihar (432), Jahangirpuri (434), Ashok Vihar (422), R K Puram (400), Aya Nagar (339), Chandni Chowk (391), ITO (390), Lodhi Road (341), Patparganj (401), Punjabi Bagh (410), Rohini (438), Shadipur (335), Wazirpur (445), Vivek Vihar (445), Okhla Phase-2 (380).
CAQM tightens GRAP rules - check the changes
Notably, in view of the dangerous AQI levels in Delhi, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Saturday revised the GRAP measures for the entire NCR, directing to impose the measures for 'Severe' AQI category under GRAP Stage IV to be taken under GRAP Stage III.
According to a press release by the CAQM, measures under GRAP IV are now under GRAP III. This allows NCR State Governments/GNCTD to decide whether public, municipal, and private offices can operate at 50 per cent strength, with the rest working from home. The release also states that the Central Government may decide whether to permit work from home for employees in central government offices.
Other measures include alerts in newspapers/TV/ radio to advise people about air pollution levels and do's and don'ts for minimising polluting activities. Augment public transport services through CNG/electric buses and metro services by inducting additional fleet and increasing the frequency of service and introduce differential rates to encourage off-peak travel, the press release said.
Moroever, measures currently under GRAP Stage III will be taken under GRAP Stage II. In the new GRAP II, GNCTD and NCR State Governments will stagger timings for public offices and municipal bodies in NCR and Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar districts. Similarly, measures under GRAP Stage II will be taken under GRAP Stage I. This directs government to ensure an uninterrupted power supply to discourage the use of alternate power-generating sets/ equipment, and synchronise traffic movements and deploy adequate personnel at intersections/traffic congestion points for smooth flow of traffic.
Minister Sirsa on Delhi pollution
Meanwhile, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa highlighted ongoing measures to curb air pollution and asserted that strict action is being taken against construction sites violating environmental norms. Speaking to ANI, Sirsa said, "Sweeping work is being done at night with the help of Mechanical Road Sweeping machines (MRS). Construction work happening in Delhi is being monitored. We have inspected over 1,200 sites; over 200 have been served notices, and 50 sites have been completely shut."