Delhi’s air quality improved marginally after the Centre invoked GRAP Stage III restrictions, but still remained close to the “severe” category Friday. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) bulletin (issued at 4pm daily based on the average of past 24 hours) said that Delhi’s AQI on Friday was 396, against 424 on Thursday and 418 on Wednesday.
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that if the air quality deteriorates further, emergency measures, including artificial rain, would be considered for which the Centre’s support would be sought. He announced a host of measures following GRAP Stage III implementation. Also, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi announced Delhi Government offices to be open from 10.00 am to 6.30 pm while Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) offices to operate from 8.30 am to 5.00 pm and those of Central Government from 9.00 am to 5.30 pm.
According to the CPCB data, Jahangirpuri in Delhi recorded worst Air Quality Index at 11 am at 469, closely followed by Alipur at 467, Anand Vihar at 463 and Rohini 461. Other places in Delhi at recorded worst AQI include Mundka 452, Ashok Vihar 448, IGI Airport (T3) 447, Narela and Punjabi Bagh both 445, Dwarka (sector 8) 444 and Delhi Technical University 429.
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Delhi’s air quality had been in the “very poor” range for 14 consecutive days before entering the “severe” category on Wednesday, prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to invoke GRAP III restrictions on November 14. Under the classification, AQI between 400 and 500 is categorised as ‘severe,’ which automatically attracts GRAP III restrictions. The CAQM had asked all the agencies in the States in NCR to implement the curbs effectively.
Curbs under Stage III include a ban on non-essential construction and demolition, discontinuation of physical mode in schools up to class V, ban on plying of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel four-wheelers and also ban on all inter-state buses (except EVs/CNG/BS-VI diesel) to enter Delhi. However, buses and tempo travellers operated with All India Tourist Permit are allowed to operate to and from Delhi. As per the CAQM order, the Delhi government has asked schools to shift to online classes up to Class V.
The city recorded its lowest minimum temperature (night-time temperature) of the season at 15.6 degrees Celsius, 2.6 notches above normal, according to the weather department.
Thick fog blanketed the city, reducing visibility at Safdarjung airport to 400 meters and at Palam airport to 500 meters at 7 am on Friday, IMD said.
The GRAP for Delhi-NCR is divided into four stages of air quality — Stage 1 for “poor” Air Quality Index (AQI) ranging between 201 and 300, Stage 2 for “very poor” AQI of 301-400, Stage 3 for “severe” AQI of 401-450 and Stage 4 for “severe plus” AQI more than 450.