Delhi Air Pollution: Everything You Need To Know Right Now
The air quality in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) deteriorated further as the air quality index (AQI) worsened further and now remains in the “very poor” category. Recording at an AQI of 317, a thick layer of smog was observed in areas including Akshardham Temple, Nehru Place, Dwarka, Ashok Nagar, Anand Vihar, Rohini, and Kalkaji.
The System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) classifies AQI into the following categories: An AQI between 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 satisfactory, 101-200 moderate, 201-300 poor, 301-400 very poor, 401-450 severe, and above 450 severe-plus.
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The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has issued warnings regarding prolonged exposure to the dangerous levels of pollution as it can cause severe respiratory illnesses. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has invoked stage two of the anti-pollution plan Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) this morning.
GRAP Stage-II
Under stage two of the GRAP, restrictions on the use of coal and firewood in tandoors at restaurants and diesel generators have been imposed. It involves an 11-point action plan that includes mechanical/vacuum sweeping and water sprinkling on identified roads, inspections at construction sites, and proper disposal of collected dust.
Traffic officials will be deployed at congestion points. Vehicle parking fees will be increased to discourage private transport, and additional bus and metro services will be started. The public has been advised to use public transport and minimise the use of personal vehicles to control the pollution crisis Delhi is currently undergoing.
People in Delhi-NCR have also been asked to regularly replace air filters at recommended intervals in their automobiles and avoid dust-generating construction activities from the months of October to January. They have also been told to avoid the open burning of solid waste and biomass.
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‘Red Light On-Gaadi Off’
Gopal Rai, Delhi’s Environment Minister, launched the ‘Red Light On-Gaadi Off’ campaign on Monday to help reduce the pollution levels. Rai appealed to drivers to turn off their vehicle engines at red lights.
The environment minister also set up a green war room and launched an anti-dust campaign along with spraying bio-decomposer to decompose 5,000 acres of stubble. Rai also urged the Uttar Pradesh government to take steps to curb pollution.
