The air quality in the national capital remains in the ‘poor’ category for the second consecutive day. The AQI was recorded at 215 on Tuesday at 6 a.m., according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Delhi has started to get colder, with light rain lashing parts of the city on December 8, resulting in a significant drop in temperature. A thin layer of smog continues to engulf areas in the national capital, affecting visibility.
AQI recorded from other places: Anand Vihar (229), Ashok Vihar (258), Bawana (236), ITO (236), Dwarka-Sector 8 (238), Jahangirpuri (268), Patparganj (207), Punjabi Bagh (253), R K Puram (256), Wazirpur (255), Vivek Vihar (214), Pusa (174).
Delhi Gets Colder
Delhi’s minimum temperature has begun to drop. The IMD has predicted a maximum temperature of 23°C and a minimum temperature of 7°C for Delhi today. Moderate fog will engulf parts of the national capital.
Amid the growing cold weather conditions, homeless and those facing financial hardships have taken refuge in night shelter homes setup by the Delhi government. Notably, night shelters have been setup in several areas including AIIMS, Lodhi road and Nizamuddin flyover.
#WATCH | Delhi: People stay in night shelter homes as winter season approaches.
— ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2024
(Visuals from a shelter home in RK Puram) pic.twitter.com/HaiOmSEPnm
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of moderate to dense fog in the morning and shallow fog or smog during the evening and night hours.
Delhi Pollution: 2.6 Lakh Vehicles Penalised
Authorities’ crackdown on individuals violating air pollution norms in Delhi has reportedly resulted in more than 2.6 lakh vehicles being fined for lacking Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCC), with over ₹260 crore collected in fines within just 50 days. The crackdown was launched as part of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
Number Of Challans Issued During Different Stages
Stage 1 (October 16-22): 12,756 challans,
Stage 2 (October 22-November 14): 1,11,235
Stage 3 (November 15-17): 13,938
Stage 4 (November 18-December 5): 114,089
Earlier, the Supreme Court allowed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to relax GRAP stage IV restrictions in Dehli-NCR to GRAP stage II in view of the betterment in the Air Quality Index (AQI).
Following the Supreme Court’s order of relaxation of GRAP Stage IV restrictions in Delhi-NCR to GRAP Stage II, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) revoked Stages IV and III of GRAP in the region. However, GRAP Stages II and I continues to remain in force across the entire NCR.
Will GRAP-IV Restrictions Return?
As the air quality remains in the ‘poor’ category in the national capital, there is a chance that GRAP-IV restrictions may be reintroduced. However, this will happen only if the AQI exceeds 400 on any given day.
Earlier, Supreme Court while ordering the relaxation of GRAP Stage IV restrictions in Delhi-NCR to GRAP Stage II said, “Considering the data before us, we do not find it appropriate at this stage to allow the Commission to go below Stage II. Therefore, we permit the Commission to move to Stage II for now. It would be prudent for the Commission to consider incorporating certain additional measures from Stage III. While we allow this, we must emphasise that if the AQI rises above 350, Stage III measures must be immediately enforced as a precaution. Similarly, if the AQI exceeds 400 on any given day, Stage IV measures must be reinstated without delay.”
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