Delhi Air Pollution: Centre's Panel Lifts Restrictions Imposed 3 Days Ago As Air Quality Improves

Delhi Air Pollution: According to statistics from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi's overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at 1.10 p.m. was 341.

Air pollution in Delhi

Source : PTI

With immediate effect, the Sub-Committee on Sunday revoked the decision issued on November 3, 2022, for activities under Stage IV of the GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan in Delhi-NCR). Actions under GRAP Stages I–III, however, must be invoked, implemented, monitored, and evaluated, news agency ANI reported. 

Sub-Committee revokes the order, issued on 3rd November 2022, for actions under Stage-IV of the GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan in Delhi-NCR) with immediate effect. Actions under Stages-I to Stage-III of GRAP shall however remain invoked & be implemented, monitored & reviewed. pic.twitter.com/uUP81U2WDi

— ANI (@ANI) November 6, 2022

"As the present AQI level of Delhi is around 339 which is about 111 AQI points below the threshold for invoking the GRAP Stage-IV actions (Delhi AQI > 450) and preventive/ mitigative/ restrictive actions under all stages up to Stage-IV are underway, there is a likelihood of sustaining the improvement in AQI," as per the statement issued by Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).  

Actions under Stages I through III of the GRAP, however, must continue to be invoked and executed, monitored, and evaluated by all agencies involved in the whole NCR to ensure that AQI values do not fall deeper into the 'Severe'/'Severe +' category, as per the statement by CAQM. 

"The sub-committee, accordingly, hereby decides to revoke the order, issued vide dated November 3, 2022, for actions under Stage-IV of GRAP with immediate effect," it said.

"Ban on plying of non-BS VI diesel-run light motor vehicles in Delhi-NCR, entry of trucks into national capital revoked," as per the statement of CAQM, PTI reported. 

As smog continues to cover Delhi-NCR on Sunday evening, locals appear to be even more concerned about air pollution. The news agency ANI shared visuals from around the Delhi-Noida border.

#WATCH | Smog continues to envelop Delhi-NCR amid worsening #AirPollution. Visuals from around the Delhi-Noida border. pic.twitter.com/YkYdu3ufHY

— ANI (@ANI) November 6, 2022

The national capital's overall air quality on Sunday was rated "very poor," while the lowest temperature was 17.5 degrees Celsius, three degrees more than the season's normal. 

According to statistics from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi's overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at 1.10 p.m. was 341.

Alipur had an AQI of 357, Shadipur had an AQI of 321, NSIT Dwarka had an AQI of 348, DTU Delhi had an AQI of 306, ITO had an AQI of 335, Sirifort had an AQI of 351, Mandir Marg had an AQI of 333, RK Puram had an AQI of 365, and Aya Nagar had an AQI of 333.

North Campus DU had an AQI of 343, Mathura Road had 324, PUSA had 304, IGI Airport had 332, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium had 351, Nehru Nagar had 362, Patparganj had 359, Ashok Vihar had 357, Sonia Vihar had 372, Jahangirpuri had 370, Rohini had 361, Narela had 364, and Bawana had 373.

Meanwhile, the AQI in Punjabi Bagh, Lodhi Road, and Dilshad Garden was "poor," at 272, 278, and 284, respectively.

An AQI of zero to 50 is deemed "excellent," 51 to 100 "acceptable," 101 to 200 "moderate," 201 to 300 "poor," 301 to 400 "extremely poor," and 401 to 500 "severe."

The World Health Organization (WHO) considers a 24-hour average PM2.5 concentration of up to 15 micrograms per cubic metre to be safe.

Concerned about dangerous pollution levels in Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has announced that elementary schools would be shuttered beginning Saturday in order to safeguard children.

The relative humidity at 8.30 a.m. was 91%, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The weatherman predicts partly overcast skies for the day, with the high temperature for Sunday, predicted to be approximately 31 degrees Celsius.

On Saturday, the maximum temperature in the national capital was 30.6 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature was 17.4 degrees Celsius, both of which were three degrees below the season's normal.

(With Inputs From Agencies)