Delhi-NCR Air Pollution: Air quality remains ‘very poor’ category; AQI at 386 as 16 stations slip into ‘severe’ zone

Since last week, when the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) activated GRAP Stage 3 restrictions, Delhi's air pollution situation has been stagnant. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) at 5:30 am on November 19, the national capital had an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 386, which is in the 'very poor' level.

Sixteen of the 39 air quality monitoring stations in Delhi-NCR scored an AQI in the 'severe' category, which is higher than 400. With an AQI of 446 on a 500-measurement scale, Wazirpur had the poorest air quality, while Bawana station had an AQI of 444. The AQI in Jahangirpuri was 442. The stations in the 430-440 AQI range were Chandni Chowk, Ashok Vihar, DTU, and Vivek Vihar.

Sonia Vihar, Rohini, RK Puram, Punjabi Bagh, North Campus, Nehru Nagar, Narela, Mundka, and Anand Vihar were among the other places in Delhi that reported an AQI value above 400, according to data on the CPCB's Sameer app.

A number of pollution control measures were put in place after GRAP Stage 3 restrictions, including prohibitions on construction activities, water spraying on roadways, and limitations on traffic on Delhi-NCR routes. Primary classes in Delhi schools switched to hybrid mode in response to the concerning pollution levels.

Sonia Vihar, Rohini, RK Puram, Punjabi Bagh, North Campus, Nehru Nagar, Narela, Mundka, and Anand Vihar were among the other places in Delhi that reported an AQI value above 400, according to data on the CPCB's Sameer app.

A number of pollution control measures were put in place after GRAP Stage 3 restrictions, including prohibitions on construction activities, water spraying on roadways, and limitations on traffic on Delhi-NCR routes. Primary classes in Delhi schools switched to hybrid mode in response to the concerning pollution levels.

Moving on to areas near the capital, we discover that the AQI was 450 in Greater Noida, 410 in Noida, 435 in Ghaziabad, 234 in Faridabad, and 288 in Gurugram.

GRAP-IV not invoked in Delhi-NCR

On Tuesday, November 18, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) clarified that reports that Delhi-NCR has advanced to Stage-IV of the Graded Response Action Plan are false and advised the public to disregard such incorrect information.

The CAQM claimed in a statement that "misleading information" about the imposition of the highest level of emergency restrictions in Delhi-NCR was being spread by certain news channels and digital platforms.

It emphasised that the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is still in effect throughout the NCR in Stage-III rather than Stage-IV.

"At present, the Stage-III of the extant GRAP is in force across the entire NCR. Stakeholders and the public are advised to rely only on official updates/press releases issued by the CAQM for NCR and adjoining areas," it said.

When the Air Quality Index (AQO) hits the "severe" level, Stage-III of GRAP enforces strict regulations.

An AQI between 0 and 50 is categorized as "good" by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), "satisfactory" between 51 and 100, "moderate" by 101 and 200, "poor" by 201 and 300, "very poor" by 301 and 400, and "severe" by 401 and 500.

Increased industrial pollution controls, prohibitions on non-essential construction and demolition activities, limitations on the use of diesel generators, and improved mechanical sweeping and water spraying on highways are all part of the Stage-III measures.

To stop future worsening of the air quality, government agencies may also impose stricter traffic management and restrictions on specific polluting enterprises.

The curbs become much more sweeping under GRAP Stage-IV, the emergency level.

All construction operations are usually prohibited, polluting trucks are prohibited from entering Delhi, schools and non-essential commercial activities are closed, and private vehicles may be subject to restrictions based on odd-even (registration number) or similar schemes.