Delhi's air quality deteriorates to 'severe,' anti-pollution restrictions reimposed
The air quality in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) has once again deteriorated, forcing the return of strict pollution-curbing measures. The Centre's Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has invoked an eight-point action plan under Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR. The move came after the 24-hour overall air quality index (AQI) in Delhi crossed the 400 mark on Sunday, pushing the national capital's air quality into the "severe" category.
Why does this story matter?
Delhi and its neighboring regions have been fighting air pollution for several weeks after thick fog enveloped most of North India. In December last year, the same curbs were imposed by the CAQM in Delhi after the city's air quality dropped to "severe." Notably, doctors say breathing in the national capital's polluted air is equivalent to the harmful effects of smoking roughly 10 cigarettes daily.
Construction work, vehicle restrictions enforced in Delhi
The decision to invoke the eight-point action plan under GRAP Stage III was made after a review meeting of the CAQM sub-committee on Sunday morning. Under Stage III, all non-essential construction work and the operation of BS-IV diesel and BS-III petrol vehicles are banned in Delhi and the NCR. The central commission also advised concerned state governments to decide on suspending offline classes for students up to Class 5.
Know about CAQM's 8-point action plan
The CAQM's eight-point plan includes increasing the frequency of mechanized and vacuum-based road sweeping. It further suggests daily water sprinkling with dust suppressants ahead of peak traffic hours. Other measures encompass improving public transport services, banning demolition and construction activities excluding essential projects, shutting stone crusher operations, and shutting all mining and related activities in Delhi-NCR.
How air quality is determined
An AQI between 0-50 is considered "good," between 51-100 is "satisfactory," 101-200 is "moderate," and 201-300 is labeled "poor." Meanwhile, air quality levels ranging between 301-400 are "very poor," 401-500 is "severe," and anything above 500 is "severe plus."
Here's Delhi-NCR's AQI on Sunday morning
Delhiites continue to feel winter's wrath
Meanwhile, Delhi continued to feel the winter's wrath as the minimum temperature dropped to 3.5 degrees Celsius on Sunday, this season's lowest. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), it saw a marginal dip from Saturday's 3.6 degrees Celsius and Friday's 3.9 degrees Celsius, both of which were previously the season's lowest. Weather department officials have also predicted a thick layer of fog in several parts of the national capital.
