Delhi's air quality remains in the 'very poor' category; Today AQI at 309

 

Delhi: A view of the Red Fort shrouded in haze, amidst deteriorating air quality, in New Delhi, India, Friday, October 28, 2022.

• Delhi's Anand Vihar monitoring station on Saturday recorded the AQI in the 'severe' category with an index value of 455.

The deterioration in the air quality in Delhi has slipped on Saturday with an overall AQI of 309 (very poor). According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) morning data, Delhi's Anand Vihar monitoring station recorded the AQI in the "severe" category at 8:20 am on Saturday with an index value of 455.

Wazirpur (436), Patparganj (403), Vivek Vihar (428), Punjabi Bagh (424), and Jahangirpuri (436) recorded "very poor"/ "severe" air quality.

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", and 401 and 500 "severe". .

Pollution levels rose on the night of 23 October due to fall in temperature and wind speed and increase in number of people bursting crackers and fire in fields.

On 19 October, the sub-committee of the Air Quality Management Commission (CAQM) implemented Phase II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) – a set of measures to measure air pollution in Delhi and its surrounding areas according to the severity of air pollution. . position in the capital.

Phase II of GRAP involves banning the use of coal and firewood in hotels, restaurants and open eateries. The use of diesel generators has also been banned except for essential services.

The GRAP is classified into four phases based on the air quality in Delhi. Stage I for 'poor' air quality (AQI 201-300), stage II for 'very poor' air quality, stage III for 'severe' air quality (AQI 401-450), and stage IV 'severe plus' ' for air quality (AQI>450).

If the situation turns 'critical' (Phase III), the authorities will impose restrictions on construction and demolition activities in the NCR, except for essential projects (such as railways, metro, airports and ISBTs).

Yesterday, the central panel issued orders for closure of 24 industrial units in NCR for gross violation of laws and guidelines related to air pollution.