Delhi's air quality remains 'very poor' amid rising pollution
PTC News Desk: A heavy layer of haze covered the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) this morning, with the air quality index (AQI) remaining "very poor" despite the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) implementing stage two of the anti-pollution plan GRAP.
According to real-time data given by the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), Delhi's AQI at 8 a.m. was 354, placing it in the "very poor" category. An AQI of 0 to 50 is considered good, 51 to 100 satisfactory, 101 to 200 moderate, 201 to 300 poor, 301 to 400 very poor, 401 to 450 severe, and 450 or more as severe-plus.
Air quality remained "very poor" in Alipur, Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, Aya Nagar, Bawana, Burari, Dwarka, IGI Airport (T3), Jahangirpuri, Mundka, Narela, Okhla, Patparganj, Punjabi Bagh, Rohini, RK Puram, Rohini, Vivek Vihar, Shadipur, Sonia Vihar, and Wazirpur.
The national capital has been experiencing poor air quality for the previous three days, prompting authorities to implement stage two of the GRAP, or Graded Response Action Plan, on Tuesday.
Stage two will include limits on the use of coal, firewood, and diesel generators in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR).
Mechanical sweeping and water sprinkling on identified roadways will be done on a daily basis, and dust control measures will be implemented at construction and demolition sites.
Furthermore, traffic officers will be placed in congested areas, vehicle parking costs will be raised to discourage private transportation, and new bus and metro services will be implemented.
People have been advised to use public transport and reduce their use of personal vehicles. They have also been urged to change the air filters in their cars at specified intervals and to prevent dust-generating construction activities between October and January.
- With inputs from agencies
