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Tag: delhi air quality

  • Delhi air quality worsens; non-essential construction, demolition banned

    Delhi air quality worsens; non-essential construction, demolition banned

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    In order to keep a check on the capital’s worsening air quality, the Centre’s air quality panel has imposed fresh restrictions on construction and demolition activities. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has directed authorities in Delhi-NCR to ban all non-essential construction work in the region under Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

    Delhi’s 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) stood at 407 at 4 pm on Sunday.

    For this, the Sub-Committee for operationalization of the revised GRAP held a meeting on Sunday to review the air quality situation in Delhi. The GRAP Sub-Committee decided to implement GRAP Stage III of in the entire NCR in a move to prevent further deterioration of air quality. Moreover, the new restrictions are in addition to the restrictive actions mentioned in GRAP Stage I and II.

    GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan) is an emergency response action plan invoked with a view to curb the further deterioration of adverse air quality scenarios in Delhi and NCR.

    However, essential projects concerning national security, defence, railways and metro rail, among others, are exempted from the restrictions.

    An AQI between 201 and 300 is considered ‘poor’, 301 and 400 ‘very poor’, and 401 and 500 ‘severe’.

    Also Read: ‘The end of American Internet’: Paytm CEO as India, China corner nearly 50% of global mobile traffic

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  • Centre’s pollution watchdog lifts GRAP stage IV restrictions in Delhi-NCR amid improved AQI

    Centre’s pollution watchdog lifts GRAP stage IV restrictions in Delhi-NCR amid improved AQI

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    Amid worsening air quality in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) area, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Sunday revived the restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) stage IV. CAQM, in its latest order, said that ban on plying of non-BS VI diesel-run light motor vehicles in Delhi-NCR, entry of trucks into national capital is now revoked.

    CAQM order reads: “In wake of the Delhi AQI nearing the ‘Severe +’ Category (AQI >450), the GRAP Stage-IV actions were invoked on 03.11.2022 based on the AQI forecasts. The forecasts also indicated a significant improvement around 5th – 6th November, 2022, therefore, the sub-Committee while invoking Stage-IV of the GRAP, decided for a review of the situation on 6th November, 2022.”

    The CAQM sub-Committee had decided to revoke the order, issued on November 3, 2022, for actions under GRAP Stage-IV with immediate effect. It further added that actions under GRAP Stages-I to Stage-III will still remain in action and be implemented, monitored and reviewed by all agencies concerned in the NCR area. This is to ensure that the AQI levels do not slip further to the ‘Severe’/ ‘Severe +’ category.

    The GRAP is a set of anti-air pollution measures followed in Delhi. It classifies the air quality in the Delhi-NCR under four stages: Stage I – ‘Poor’ (AQI 201-300); Stage II – ‘Very Poor’ (AQI 301-400); Stage III – ‘Severe’ (AQI 401-450); and Stage IV – ‘Severe Plus’ (AQI >450).

    The GRAP Stage IV’s primary focus is on vehicle restrictions, including entry of commercial trucks into Delhi, diesel commercial vehicles for intra-Delhi movements, non-BS VI passenger vans, and LMVs (Light Motor Vehicles) in Delhi.

    Here are the measures prescribed under GRAP stage IV, which are now no longer in effect:

    • Stop entry of truck traffic into Delhi (except for trucks carrying essential commodities/ providing essential services and all CNG / electric trucks).
    • Ban on plying of Delhi registered diesel operated Medium Goods Vehicles (MGV) and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV) in Delhi, except those carrying essential commodities/ providing essential services.
    • Ban on plying of 4-wheeler diesel LMVs in NCT of Delhi and Districts of NCR bordering Delhi, except BS-VI vehicles and vehicles used for essential / emergency services.
    • Close down all industries in NCR, even in areas that don’t have PNG infrastructure and supply but still running on fuels, other than the fuels as per the Standard list of approved fuels for NCR.
    • Ban C&D activities in linear public projects such as highways, roads, flyovers, over bridges, power transmission, pipelines, etc.
    • NCR State Governments / GNCTD to decide on allowing the public, municipal and private offices to work on 50 per cent strength and the rest to work from home.
    • Central Government may decide on permitting work from home for central government offices.
    • State Governments may consider additional emergency measures like the closure of schools/ colleges/ educational institutions, closure of non-emergency commercial activities and plying of vehicles on an odd-even basis etc.

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  • Delhi air pollution: Residents struggle to breathe as AQI remains severe for third day in a row

    Delhi air pollution: Residents struggle to breathe as AQI remains severe for third day in a row

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    Delhi residents are struggling to breathe as the air quality in the national capital region was in the ‘severe’ category for the consecutive third day. According to the Central Pollution Control Board data, Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 408 at 9.30 am.

    Every year, Delhi residents struggle with choking air around October and November owing to the rise in air pollution. On Saturday morning, the air quality was severe in Delhi-NCR. Noida’s AQI was 529, Gurugram’s jumped to 478, and near Dhirpur’s it was 534, according to news agency ANI.

    On Friday, the Aam Aadmi Party government declared that primary schools will remain shut from Saturday and 50 per cent of its staff will work from home.

    In addition to this, the Delhi government has also imposed the final stage of the Graded Response Action Plan. The plying of four-wheeled diesel light motor vehicles in the city and adjoining areas and the entry of trucks into the national capital region have been banned as part of anti-pollution measures under the final stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

    A recent survey conducted by LocalCircles stated that in every five families in the national capital region, one or more family members suffer from some pollution-related ailment or the other.

    The survey also highlighted that the residents of Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram and Faridabad reported that their family members were ailing due to pollution, and reported symptoms like sore throat, cough, congestion in chest, blocked nose and burning eyes. Such cases have gone up by 70 per cent to 80 per cent in the last five days.

    As per experts, senior citizens, who have weak lungs, are vulnerable to this severe air quality. Even children are also more susceptible due to fine PM2.5 particles that penetrate deep into lung passageways which affected people can’t breathe.

    Blame game on harvest burning

    As per the LocalCircles survey, Delhi residents said that air quality has been bad since Diwali, but in recent days it has risen alarmingly due to stubble burning post-harvest in Punjab.

    On 4 November, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal with his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann by his side, said: “We (AAP) have our government in Punjab and we are responsible if ‘parali’ is being burnt there. Farmers are not responsible for it.”

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  • ‘Hazardous’ Air Quality In Delhi—The World’s Most Polluted City—Triggers School Shutdown

    ‘Hazardous’ Air Quality In Delhi—The World’s Most Polluted City—Triggers School Shutdown

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    Topline

    Officials in New Delhi, India, on Friday ordered all primary schools in the city to shut down as the nation’s capital, and world’s most polluted city, witnessed its fourth straight day of ‘hazardous’ pollution levels, triggering political blame games between Delhi’s state government and India’s federal government.

    Key Facts

    New Delhi’s Air Quality Index, which measures the presence of pollutants in the air, has hovered above 400—considered to be in the “severe” or “hazardous” category where even healthy individuals are likely to experience problems—since the start of this week.

    According to a tracker run by AQI.in, the level of PM 2.5, airborne particles which are less than 2.5 microns in diameter, stood at 336 on Friday—which is more than 22 times above the levels that the WHO deems as safe.

    While primary schools remain shut, outdoor activities will also be banned for older school students from fifth grade and above, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced.

    Kejriwal noted that his government is also contemplating reintroducing a traffic regulation called ‘odd-even’ where vehicles with number plates ending in odd or even numbers will be allowed on the road on alternate days.

    Earlier on Friday, the Indian Supreme Court agreed to hear a public petition on the state of pollution in Delhi, which calls on the top court to issue guidelines to block the burning of crop residues in neighboring states—considered a key cause behind Delhi’s toxic air.

    Big Number

    14. That’s how many of North India’s cities featured in IQAir’s 2021 list of top 20 most polluted cities across the world. Delhi, which ranked number four on the list, was the world’s most polluted major city.

    Chief Critic

    India’s Environment Minister, Bhupender Yadav, has blamed Kejriwal and his party, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for failing to tackle Delhi’s pollution crisis. Pointing to a rise in crop residue fires in the state of Punjab, which elected an AAP government earlier this year, Yadav tweeted: “There is no doubt over who has turned Delhi into a gas chamber.”

    Key Background

    Toxic air is a recurring problem for India’s capital every winter due to a perfect storm of multiple circumstances. The fog which arrives at the start of winter turns into toxic smog that is trapped over the city as it draws from construction dust, brick kilns, factories, vehicle emissions and the burning of crop residues in the northern states of Punjab and Haryana. The burning of crop residues has been an area of particular focus for the past few years, with the government urging farmers not to burn their crop stubbles after harvest season is completed by offering them financial perks in return. Farmers in these regions usually find it cheaper to burn residues of harvested crops to clear the land for fresh plantations.

    Surprising Fact

    According to a study carried out on breathing air with high PM 2.5 concentrations, the impact of breathing Delhi’s toxic air in November is as bad as smoking 10 to 15 cigarettes every day.

    Further Reading

    New Delhi’s air is a ‘crime against humanity,’ spurring calls to close schools (Reuters)

    Delhi air: Leaders trade barbs as India capital pollution worsens (BBC)

    Delhi air pollution: Biggest culprit this year, and possible solutions (Indian Express)

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    Siladitya Ray, Forbes Staff

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  • Delhi air pollution: Primary schools shut from tomorrow, outdoor activities restricted, says Kejriwal

    Delhi air pollution: Primary schools shut from tomorrow, outdoor activities restricted, says Kejriwal

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    All primary schools in Delhi will be closed from tomorrow until further notice due to the rising pollution levels in the national capital, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said. He added that any outdoor activities for students of all classes above class 5 will also not be allowed. 

    While addressing a press conference, Kejriwal said, “We’re taking all steps to control the pollution situation. In lieu of that, we’re shutting down all primary schools in Delhi from tomorrow… Also shutting down outdoor activities for all classes above class 5.” Kejriwal was accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann at the press conference. 

    He further stated that the Delhi government is also mulling to bring the odd-even scheme for vehicles into effect given the worsening air quality. Kejriwal also said Delhi’s alarming air pollution levels and air quality are not just the AAP government’s problems and asked the Centre to intervene. 

    He said, “AAP governments in Punjab and Delhi can’t be solely blamed for air pollution.” The Delhi Chief Minister also urged the Centre to not engage in blame game politics and admitted Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab contributes to pollution in Delhi. However, he said farmers could be blamed for the same. 

    Air quality index (AQI) at Delhi’s Lodhi Road stood at 396 (very poor) whereas it stood at 471 (severe) near the Delhi University area as of 11:40 am, according to SAFAR. AQI at Pusa Road, IIT Delhi, Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport terminal 3, Mathura Road, Dhirpur and  Noida stood at 443 (severe), 382 (very poor), 474 (severe), 438 (severe), 469 (severe) and 526 (severe) respectively. 

    Also read: Delhi pollution: Govt to hold high-level meet today, GRAP-4 restrictions, online classes to be in focus

    Also read: Noida schools start online classes due to worsening air quality; AQI stands at 562

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  • Delhi-NCR’s air quality turns severe: Govt’s 8-point action plan to curb pollution explained

    Delhi-NCR’s air quality turns severe: Govt’s 8-point action plan to curb pollution explained

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    Amid worsening air quality in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) area, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Thursday implemented a new set of restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) stage IV.

    Delhi’s air quality has deteriorated further and the prediction is that it is likely to remain in the ‘severe’ category till Saturday.

    The GRAP is a set of anti-air pollution measures followed in Delhi. It classifies the air quality in the Delhi-NCR under four stages: Stage I – ‘Poor’ (AQI 201-300); Stage II – ‘Very Poor’ (AQI 301-400); Stage III – ‘Severe’ (AQI 401-450); and Stage IV – ‘Severe Plus’ (AQI >450).

    The GRAP Stage IV’s primary focus remains on vehicle restrictions, including entry of commercial trucks into Delhi, diesel commercial vehicles for intra-Delhi movements, non-BS VI passenger vans, and LMVs (Light Motor Vehicles) in Delhi.

    In addition to this, various agencies responsible for implementing measures under GRAP and Pollution Control Boards (PCBs) of NCR and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) have also been advised to ensure strict implementation of actions of Stage IV under GRAP during this period.

    Furthermore, the commission has also appealed to children, the elderly, and those with respiratory, cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, or other chronic diseases to avoid outdoor activities and stay indoors, as much as possible.

    Here are the measures prescribed under GRAP stage IV:

    • Stop entry of truck traffic into Delhi (except for trucks carrying essential commodities/ providing essential services and all CNG / electric trucks).
    • Ban on plying of Delhi registered diesel operated Medium Goods Vehicles (MGV) and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV) in Delhi, except those carrying essential commodities/ providing essential services.
    • Ban on plying of 4-wheeler diesel LMVs in NCT of Delhi and Districts of NCR bordering Delhi, except BS-VI vehicles and vehicles used for essential / emergency services.
    • Close down all industries in NCR, even in areas that don’t have PNG infrastructure and supply but still running on fuels, other than the fuels as per the Standard list of approved fuels for NCR.
    • Ban C&D activities in linear public projects such as highways, roads, flyovers, over bridges, power transmission, pipelines, etc.
    • NCR State Governments / GNCTD to decide on allowing the public, municipal and private offices to work on 50 per cent strength and the rest to work from home.
    • Central Government may decide on permitting work from home for central government offices.
    • State Governments may consider additional emergency measures like the closure of schools/ colleges/ educational institutions, closure of non-emergency commercial activities and plying of vehicles on an odd-even basis etc.

    However, industries like milk and dairy units and those involved in manufacturing life-saving medical equipment/ devices, drugs and medicines shall be exempted from the above restrictions.

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  • Spike in Delhi pollution: Air Quality Index as high as 551 in some parts

    Spike in Delhi pollution: Air Quality Index as high as 551 in some parts

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    The air quality at Delhi-NCR continued its downward spiral on Tuesday morning, recording the Air Quality Index (AQI) as high as 594 in Dhirpur, Delhi, which is in severe category. Noida, UP also recorded 444 AQI in the ‘Severe’ category and Gurugram, Haryana saw air quality dip to ‘Very Poor’ category. Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) this morning was at 385 in the very poor category leading Delhi government to ban all construction and demolition activities taking place in the national capital. 

    It was already anticipated that the National Capital’s air quality would worsen in the coming days because of the calmer winds and other different meteorological conditions. In a news conference on Sunday, Gopal Rai, Delhi’s environment minister, said, “Experts are predicting that wind speed will fall from November 1 and its direction will change. Based on that, it is predicted that the AQI would go beyond 400 into the severe category.”

    He further said that the pollution levels usually spike in the Delhi-NCR region around this time primarily because of dust, bio-mass burning and vehicular emissions, changes in the meteorological situation and air movement.

    “586 teams had been formed to monitor construction works, and that exemptions would be given to hospitals, railways, airports and other such public activities. 521 machines would sprinkle water across the city to settle dust while nearly 233 anti-smog guns would be deployed,” informed Rai.

    An AQI between zero and 50 is considered to be ‘good’, 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 and 200 ‘moderate’, 201 and 300 ‘poor’, 301 and 400 ‘very poor, and 401 and 500 ‘severe’ according to the government organisation.

    Also Read: Construction activities banned in Delhi-NCR area amid worsening pollution levels

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  • Construction activities banned in Delhi-NCR area amid worsening pollution levels

    Construction activities banned in Delhi-NCR area amid worsening pollution levels

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    Central government’s air quality panel, on Saturday, directed authorities in the National Capital Region to implement curbs such as a ban on construction and demolition activities as the air quality nears ‘severe’ category in Delhi.

    The new set of restrictions were imposed in Delhi under Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) stage III. The GRAP Sub-Committee decided to implement GRAP Stage III of in the entire NCR in a move to prevent further deterioration of air quality. It should also be noted that the new restrictions are in addition to the restrictive actions mentioned in GRAP Stage I and II.

    The restrictions won’t be applicable on essential projects concerning national security, defence, railways and metro rail among others. It further noted that even mining activities also will not be allowed in the region. This ban is likely to affect housing projects in Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram and other areas.

    Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), in a notification said, “All actions as envisaged under Stage III of the GRAP – ‘Severe’ Air Quality, to be implemented in right earnest by all the agencies concerned, with immediate effect in the NCR.”

    The air quality panel also said that states might also impose restrictions on the plying of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel four-wheelers in the NCR considering the recent drop in the air quality.

    As per CAQM, the GRAP Stage 3 is implemented due to unfavourable meteorological conditions with slower wind speeds and a sudden spike in farm fire incidents. It stated, ”Due to unfavorable meteorological conditions with slower wind speed and sudden spike in the farm fire incidents, it was considered necessary to implement Stage III of GRAP with immediate effect in the entire NCR.”

    What is Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)

    GRAP is a set of anti-air pollution measures followed in the capital and its vicinity according to the severity of the situation.

    It classifies the air quality in the Delhi-NCR under four different stages: Stage I – ‘Poor’ (AQI 201 – 300); Stage II – ‘Very Poor’ (AQI 301 – 400); Stage III – ‘Severe’ (AQI 401 – 450); and Stage IV – ‘Severe Plus’ (AQI > 450).

    The ban on construction and demolition activities covers earthwork for excavation, boring and drilling; fabrication and welding operations; loading and unloading of construction material; transfer of raw material, including fly ash, either manually or through conveyor belts and vehicular movement on unpaved roads.

    It also bans the operation of batching plants; laying of sewer lines, waterline, drainage work and electric cabling through open trench system; cutting and fixing of tiles, stones and other flooring materials; grinding activities; piling work; water proofing work; road construction and repair works, including paving of sidewalks, pathways and central verges among others.

    However, milk and dairy units and those involved in manufacturing of life-saving medical equipment, drugs and medicines have been exempt from the restrictions.

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  • Delhi wakes up to ‘very poor’ air quality after Diwali; AQI hits 326

    Delhi wakes up to ‘very poor’ air quality after Diwali; AQI hits 326

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    Delhiites woke up to ‘very poor’ air quality as Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) stood at 326 as of 8 am on Tuesday, a day after Diwali. Areas in Delhi such as Narela, Delhi University, Anand Vihar, India Gate and Dwarka reported very poor air quality. Neighbouring cities of Ghaziabad, Noida, Greater Noida, Gurugram and Faridabad had an AQI of 285, 320, 294, 315 and 310 respectively. Poor air quality was reported from areas like Cyber Hub and Najafgarh.

    Delhi recorded an AQI of 382 on Diwali last year, 414 in 2020, 337 in 2019, 281 in 2018, 319 in 2017 and 431 in 2016, as per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data. An AQI between 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 satisfactory, 101-200 moderate, 201-300 poor, 301-400 very poor and 401-500 severe. 

    Though Delhiites burnt firecrackers despite a ban, the intensity was slightly less compared to the last two years. The Delhi government led by Aam Aadmi Party had imposed a ban on production, sale and use of all types of firecrackers till January 1, 2023, including on Diwali. 

    Credit: DIU
    Credit: DIU

    Besides firecrackers, farm fires or stubble burning has also contributed to Delhi’s PM2.5 pollution around Diwali. The share of emissions from farm fires and firecrackers is lesser compared to previous years due to reduced firecracker bursting and moderately warm and windier conditions slowing down accumulation of pollutants. 

    Gufran Beig, founder project director of SAFAR, a forecasting agency under the Union Ministry of Earth Science, told news agency PTI, “The share of PM2.5 in Delhi’s air has increased which is indicative of contribution from firecrackers and stubble burning.”

    Beig added, “Though the active fire counts have doubled, the wind direction is north westernly and the wind speed is moderate (not very favourable for the transport of smoke from farm fires). Hence, the contribution of stubble burning is not very significant.” He further noted that stubble burning is likely to contribute 12 to 15 per cent of Delhi’s PM2.5 solution on Tuesday.

    (With PTI, India Today inputs)

    Also read: ‘Beautiful’: Apple CEO praises Diwali photo shot on iPhone; see pic 

    Also read: Diwali Muhurat Trading 2022 Highlights: Sensex surges 525 points, Nifty settles above 17,700; ICICI Bank, Nestle among top gainers

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