Air quality in Delhi deteriorates: GRAP II in force

A thick layer of smog enveloped the national capital on Tuesday (October 22), as the air quality index (AQI) fell further, even falling into the ‘severe’ category at 411 in Anand Vihar.

Air quality was recorded in the “very poor” category by 28 of 36 pollution monitoring stations. The 24-hour average AQI was recorded at 327 at 4 pm on Tuesday compared to 310 a day earlier, even as anti-pollution restrictions under the Graduated Response Action Plan (GRAP)-II came into effect. force.

An AQI between 401 and 500 is classified as “severe” and affects healthy individuals and has a serious impact on those with existing illnesses.

PM2.5 was recorded at an alarming level of 129.3 micrograms per cubic meter, according to the Central Pollution Control Board.

PM2.5 refers to fine, inhalable particles that typically measure 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter, posing the greatest health risk. The acceptable annual standard for PM 2.5 is 40 micrograms per cubic meter.

While the air quality in Anand Vihar fell into the ‘severe’ category, the AQI remained ‘very low’ in areas like Bawana, Dwarka, Jahangirpuri, Rohini, DTU, IGI Airport (T3) , ITO, Mundka, Narela, Patparganj, Rohini, Shadipur, Sonia Vihar, Wazirpur, Alipur, Ashok Vihar, Aya Nagar, Burari, Mandir Marg and Mundka.

Factors that largely contributed to Delhi’s pollution on Tuesday included transportation, stubble burning, dust pollution and others.

Emissions from transport accounted for around 11.45 per cent of Delhi’s air pollution, according to the Centre’s Air Quality Management Decision Support System.

The national capital has been experiencing hazardous air quality for the past seven days.

Earlier on Tuesday, Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced a slew of anti-pollution measures, including additional metro travel, deployment of over 6,000 MCD officers to control road dust and 1,800 additional traffic officers at congestion points.

He made the announcements at a press conference in Delhi after the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)-II came into force in the national capital, imposing restrictions on the use of coal and wood heating as well as diesel generators.