Air quality remained “very poor” in several areas.

New Delhi:

A thick layer of smog enveloped the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) this morning as the air quality index (AQI) continued to be “very poor” despite the Air Quality Management Commission (CAQM) calling level two of the air pollution GRAP plan.

According to the real-time data from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), the AQI in Delhi was recorded at 354 at 8 am, which falls in the 'very poor' category. An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 is considered satisfactory, 101 and 200 is moderate, 201 and 300 is poor, 301 and 400 is very poor, 401 and 450 is severe, and above 450 is severe.

Air quality remained “very poor” in areas such as Alipur, Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, Aya Nagar, Bawana, Burari, Dwarka, IGI Airport (T3), Jahangirpuri, Mundka, Narela, Okhla, Patparganj, Punjabi Bagh, Rohini, RK. Puram, Rohini, Vivek Vihar, Shadipur, Sonia Vihar and Wazirpur.

#REGARD | Delhi: A thin layer of smog covers the national capital as air quality continues to deteriorate.

(Pictures from India Gate) pic.twitter.com/ZbOBRB0tuK

– ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2024

Levels of particulate matter – cancer-causing microparticles known as PM2.5 pollutants that enter the bloodstream through the lungs – rose to almost 23 times the daily maximum recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), news agency AFP reported.

According to the monitoring company IQAir, the pollutant level was over 344 micrograms per cubic meter.

GRAP Level 2 in Delhi-NCR

The state capital has experienced dangerous air quality in recent days, forcing authorities to introduce the second stage of the GRAP, or Graded Response Action Plan, on Tuesday.

In the second stage, there will be restrictions on the use of coal and firewood and diesel generator sets in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR).

ALSO READ | Air pollution in Delhi ahead of winter increases respiratory diseases by 15%

In addition, mechanical sweeping and watering operations are carried out daily on designated roads, and dust control measures are enforced at construction and demolition sites.

In addition, traffic personnel will be deployed at congestion points, vehicle parking fees will be increased to discourage private transportation, and additional bus and subway services will be introduced.

People have been advised to use public transport and keep the use of private vehicles to a minimum. They were also asked to regularly replace the air filters in their vehicles at the recommended intervals and avoid dust-generating construction work from October to January.

People in Delhi-NCR have also been told to avoid open burning of solid waste and biomass.

These steps complement the Level 1 GRAP measures that have been in force since October 15th.

During the first phase, in addition to dust reduction on construction sites, mechanical sweeping and water spraying on the streets will be carried out regularly. There is also a ban on open burning of waste, the use of coal or firewood in catering establishments and the use of diesel generators is restricted.

Early on Tuesday, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced a slew of measures to tackle pollution, including additional metro rides, deployment of more than 6,000 MCD workers to tackle road dust and 1,800 more transport workers at congestion points.

According to a forecast by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi's daily average AQI is likely to remain in the 'very poor' category in the coming days due to unfavorable meteorological and climatic conditions.

Stubble fires or farm fires in neighboring Haryana and Punjab, especially during the post-harvest season in October and November, are also often blamed for the increase in pollution in Delhi.