Tag: Delhi Air crisis

Delhi NCR: AQI breaches 400 mark, enters ‘severe’ category

By LokMarg

According to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), Delhi’s air quality has worsened further, with levels again breaching the 400 mark and falling into the ‘severe’ category.

At 7 AM on Tuesday, Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) was 421. AQI values in areas including Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, Bawana, Jahangirpuri, and Alipur ranged from 400 to 470, signifying hazardous air quality.

Meanwhile, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) classified the local air quality in the “Very Poor” category. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported the minimum temperature in Delhi as 5 degrees Celsius.

Bhagat Singh, a local resident, remarked, “Pollution has become an incurable disease, especially for Delhi. This is a problem every year. Earlier, several people went for a morning walk here, but now, a lot of them have quit due to pollution. A willpower by the government is needed to resolve this issue.”

Another resident stated, “The temperature was about 7 degrees Celsius, and because of the fog, cars were not visible on the road. However, as soon as the fog cleared, we could see the cars.”

The Sub-Committee of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) implemented Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the National Capital Region (NCR) on Monday night with “immediate effect” in response to declining air quality.

This decision came after Delhi’s AQI surpassed the 400 mark. On Monday night, the AQI was reported as 399 at 9 PM and crossed into the severe zone at 401 by 10 PM.

Earlier, GRAP-III restrictions had been re-imposed across the NCR after the AQI breached the 350 mark amid “highly unfavourable meteorological conditions” and “other factors affecting the dispersion of pollutants.”

According to the Sub-Committee on GRAP, “The air quality parameters further worsened owing to a drastic reduction in the mixing layer height and continued absolute calm-wind conditions over Delhi.”

“The Sub-Committee noted that the AQI level almost touched the 400 mark, i.e., 399 at 9 PM and was recorded as 401 at 10 PM, breaching the 400 mark,” the statement added.

The Committee teams are maintaining a close watch on the air quality scenario in Delhi.(ANI)

Delhi’s Air Quality Deteriorates To ‘Poor’ Again

By LokMarg

Delhi’s air quality has once again taken a turn for the worse, dropping to “poor” at 7 am today, December 12. This decline follows a moderate air quality reading, on average, over the past 24 hours, with a reading taken at 4 pm on December 11. Unfortunately, Delhi has been grappling with severe air pollution for the past month.

The average air quality of Delhi as per the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) AQI index was 259 and has been categorised as ‘poor’.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, Delhi’s air quality levels were recorded at 274 in Punjabi Bagh, 282 in Rohini, and 289 in RK Puram. Other areas such as Major Dhyan Chand Station reported an AQI of 245, Najafgarh recorded 224, Nehru Nagar had 310, and North Campus, DU, had 206.

Delhi’s Air Quality improved to moderate at 4pm on Wednesday after it remained in the ‘poor’ category on Wednesday morning.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has revoked the stringent GRAP Stage IV and III restrictions in Delhi-NCR, following the Supreme Court’s permission to relax these restrictions to GRAP Stage II. This decision comes after the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi-NCR showed significant improvement, with the average AQI reading dropping to 165, categorized as ‘moderate’.

As a result, several restrictions imposed under Stage 4 have been lifted, including the ban on diesel-run medium and heavy vehicles (BS-IV or below) registered in Delhi, except those carrying essential goods. However, restrictions under GRAP Stage II will remain in force, including a ban on the use of coal and firewood, including tandoors at hotels, restaurants, and open eateries.

The CAQM will continue to monitor the air quality and may reinstate stricter measures if the AQI levels deteriorate. Citizens are advised to strictly adhere to the citizen charter and take necessary precautions to minimize pollution. (ANI)