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Tag: delhi air quality index

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    Here are the measures prescribed under GRAP stage IV, which are now no longer in effect: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