Delhi Air Quality 'Severe' As AQI Crosses 400-Mark Amid Very Cold Conditions. GRAP-3 On Hold

On Wednesday, Delhi's 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) surpassed the 400 mark which mandates authorities to implement stricter measures under Stage 3. However, the decision is on hold.

Amid Very Cold Conditions, Delhi Air Quality Crosses 400-Mark

Source : Getty image

Delhi's 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) on Wednesday surpassed the 400 mark, reaching a level that mandates authorities to implement stricter measures under Stage 3 of the government's air pollution control plan known as the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). However, the Union government opted to postpone the enforcement of more stringent measures aimed at curbing pollution. This decision was influenced by forecasts indicating a potential improvement in the situation.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital dipped into the 'severe' category, reaching a reading of 405 at 8 pm.

"The CAQM Sub-Committee responsible for operationalizing GRAP convened to assess the air quality status, meteorological predictions, and the projected air quality index provided by the India Meteorological Department and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology," an official statement informed, as per news agency PTI.

Considering forecasts from both the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) indicating an anticipated improvement in air quality, the Sub-Committee unanimously decided to monitor the situation for a day or more before implementing Stage 3 of GRAP.

While Stage 3 measures are on hold, the preventive and restrictive actions already in place under Stage 1 and Stage 2 of GRAP will persist, as outlined by the statement, PTI reported.

Stage 3 restrictions include a ban on non-essential construction activities and the operation of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel four-wheelers in Delhi-NCR. However, certain construction activities related to national security or defense, projects of national significance, healthcare, railways, metro rail, airports, interstate bus terminals, highways, roads, flyovers, overbridges, power transmission, pipelines, sanitation, and water supply are exempt from the ban.

GRAP, implemented during the winter season, classifies actions into four stages: Stage I - 'Poor' (AQI 201-300); Stage II - 'Very Poor' (AQI 301-400); Stage III - 'Severe' (AQI 401-450); and Stage IV - 'Severe Plus' (AQI>450).

Cold To Severe Cold Conditions Continue In Delhi

Meanwhile, Delhi continued to grapple with cold to severe cold conditions as the maximum temperature settled two notches below the season's average at 18.3 degrees Celsius.

The day began with a slight relief from the biting cold, as the city recorded a low of 8.3 degrees Celsius, a slight increase from the 6.9 degrees Celsius observed on Tuesday, as reported by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The IMD predicts dense fog at isolated places in Delhi on Thursday morning.

According to the meteorological department, "In January so far, Delhi has experienced five cold days and five cold wave days, marking the highest occurrence in the past 13 years." The city witnessed mainly clear skies with moderate fog in the morning, and the humidity level fluctuated between 79 percent and 60 percent, based on IMD data.

On Tuesday, the maximum temperature was noted at 19.5 degrees Celsius, just one notch below the normal range. Visibility improved at various observatories in Delhi late at night, with Safdarjung recording a visibility of 500 meters and Palam recording 700 meters at 11.45 pm. Delhi’s IGI Airport reported a visibility of 600 meters at 5.30 am on Wednesday.

According to the Indian Railways, twenty-four Delhi-bound trains were delayed by one to six hours due to fog in parts of northern India.

Due to the dense fog forecast, transport and aviation activities in the city are anticipated to be affected on Thursday as well, as per the IMD.

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