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Delhi-NCR Pollution: 'Poor' air quality for sixth consecutive day, Graded Response Action Plan to be implemented today

On Tuesday, air quality in Delhi remained poor for the sixth consecutive day with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) docking at 252

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Starting from today, i.e. October 15 (Tuesday), strict measures to combat the menace of air pollution will come into force in the national capital and its adjoining areas such as Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad and Faridabad as part of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which was first implemented in Delhi-NCR in 2017.

The GRAP lists measures to deal with instances of air pollution as an emergency response, depending on the severity of the situation. It takes the action to the streets with immediate and strict measures like shutting down brick kilns, stone crushers and hot mix plants, reducing private vehicles on the road, and decommissioning diesel generators. This year's final graded plan lists plans prepared for implementation under different Air Quality Index (AQI) categories namely, Moderate & Poor, Very Poor, and Severe as per National Air Quality Index (AQI), with a new category of “Severe+ or Emergency”.

The use of diesel generator in Delhi-NCR will be completely stopped and brick kilns run only with the cleaner alternative 'zigzag' technology, in which hot air from the kiln travels in a zigzag path, thereby improving heat transfer and making the entire operation efficient. According to the Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority (EPCA) for the National Capital Region (NCR), pollution prevention arrangements will be made at dusty soil-enhancing facilities such as stone crossers, cement mixers, so that they do not increase the dust in the air. The cleaning work will be carried out through continuous sweeping machines in roads and lanes, which will be accompanied by constant water sprays.

The plan is carried out by the Government of India's Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The responses for the various threat levels, i.e. Moderate & Poor, Very Poor, and Severe as per National Air Quality Index (AQI), with a new category of “Severe+ or Emergency” - are listed here.

On Tuesday, air quality in Delhi remained poor for the sixth consecutive day with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) docking at 252 and major pollutants PM 2.5 at 214 and PM 10 at 211 which are both in the 'Poor' category, in Lodhi Road area.

Delhi-NCR Air Quality Index at 6 AM on Tuesday:

Delhi (overall) AQI - 252 (PM 2.5)
Poor Category

Lodhi Road - 244 (PM 2.5)
Poor Category

Delhi University - 241 (PM 2.5)
Poor Category

Airport T3 - 293 (PM 2.5)
Poor Category

Noida - 310 (PM 2.5)
Very Poor Category

Gurugram - 247 (PM 2.5)
Poor Category

At Dhirpur, the AQI was 259 at 8:30 am, while at Mathura Road area it dipped to the 'poor' category at 296. Furthermore, the AQI near Pusa, Airport, Terminal 3 and Delhi University stood at 215, 293 and 241 respectively.

According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), the stubble burning activity in Haryana, Panjab, and nearby border regions are moderate, but the cyclonic circulation developed over north-west Uttar Pradesh and neighbourhood is going to impact the transport pathways and marginally improve Delhi's Air quality to middle-end of poor category by today.

An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.

The air quality index is expected to plunge further around Diwali, if the availability of green crackers, as promised by the Central Government, is not ensured. Last year, during this festival, the apex court had banned conventional firecrackers and passed an order stating that only green crackers with reduced emissions will be allowed.

 

(With agency inputs)

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