Cold Grips Delhi Ahead Of New Year, Construction Activities Banned Over 'Very Poor' Air Quality: Top Points

Air quality in the Delhi-NCR continues to remain unhealthy. On the other hand, severe cold conditions returned in Delhi on Saturday after a brief respite. 

Security personnel walk amid low visibility due to smog, at Kartavya Path in New Delhi. ( Image Source :PTI )

New Delhi: Air quality in the Delhi-NCR continues to remain unhealthy. The Centre’s air quality panel implemented stage 3 of the anti-pollution plan in Delhi-NCR on Friday in the wake of worsening air pollution. On the other hand, severe cold conditions returned in Delhi on Saturday after a brief respite. 

Here Are The Top Points: 

• Severe cold conditions returned in Delhi on Saturday after a brief respite. The people were seen huddled around bonfires along the roads to beat the chill.
• "Today, there is a severe cold wave," said a bus driver who was seen sitting near a bonfire at Turkman Gate here in the old city area, as reported by the news agency ANI. "It is very cold today. We have been sitting around this bonfire to keep it warm," said an old man, Noor ud Din.
• Delhi's air quality is in the 'Very Poor' category with AQI at 369. Commission for Air Quality Management yesterday ordered the imposition of Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan in NCR.
• Construction and demolition activities have been banned to prevent air quality from worsening. 
• According to GRAP, if the AQI is projected to reach the severe category, restrictive actions under Stage III must be invoked at least three days in advance.
• Curbs under Stage 3 include a ban on non-essential construction and demolition and closure of all stone crushers and mining activities in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR).
• In the meeting, the committee reviewed the air quality of the region and the forecasts by the meteorological department.
• The curbs also impose a ban on industrial operations which are not running on fuel.
• According to the panel, the state governments may impose restrictions on old petrol and diesel vehicles.
• According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), New Delhi's Lodhi Road experienced 'Very Poor' air quality this morning with AQI recorded at 369.
• The India Meteorological Department predicted that cold wave conditions would likely prevail from December 31 to January 1 over Haryana, Chandigarh, and New Delhi.

(With ANI Inputs)