Delhi struggles against 'severe' air pollution: AQI readings, other important things to know
Delhi AQI Air Pollution Update: Delhi's air quality has taken a severe hit, prompting the implementation of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) III rules to combat the hazardous conditions. The city's Air Quality Index (AQI) has surpassed 400, indicating 'severe' air quality'. Read on to catch key AQI updates from different neighborhoods and what the latest restrictions mean for the public in the city.
Delhi Air Pollution News, AQI Update: Delhi adopted Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) III rules on Friday to battle its 'severe' air quality, prompting a host of measures including traffic restrictions, complete bans on construction and related activities, strict compliance checks and penalties. The national capital struggled against Air Quality Index (AQI) readings above 400—deemed 'severe' based on a range of factors including concentrator levels of pollutants in the air. Here's a summary of AQI updates from different neighborhoods in the National Capital Region (NCR) and what the latest restrictions mean for the common man:
Delhi AQI Air Pollution Update: 'Severe' air quality in these regions
At 5 pm on Friday, November 15, air quality in several regions was recorded to be at 'severe' levels in the national capital. These included Jaangirpuri (460), Wazirpur (449), Rohini (445), Anand Vihar (445), NArela (439), Ashok Vihar (434), Punjabi Bagh (428), Alipur (425), DTU (410), Dwarka Sector 8 (410) and Nehru Nagar (407), according information available on the CPCB portal.
Delhi AQI Air Pollution Update: 'Very poor' air quality in these areas
At the same time, 'very poor' AQI levels were recorded in several areas, including RK Puram (399), IGI Airport (391), Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium (390), Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (351), Lodhi Road (333), Chandni Chowk (329), Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range (383), ITO (322), and Sonia Vihar (386).
AQI Update: This Delhi neighborhood is relatively better than surrounding regions
At the same hour, the AQI stood at 259 in Sri Aurobindo Marg.
Delhi AQI Air Pollution Update: Other areas with 'very poor' readings
Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), Dilshad Garden: 360
Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), Mathura: 333
Mandir Marg: 381
Delhi AQI Air Pollution Update: Other areas with 'very poor' readings
NSIT Dwarka: 383
Okhla Phase II: 388
Noida AQI Air Pollution Update: 'Very poor' readings recorded in Sectors 1, Sector 62
At the same time, AQI was recorded at 288 in Sector 125 (poor), 307 in Sector 1 (very poor), 364 in Sector 62 (very poor) and 290 in Sector 116 in Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
Gurugram AQI Air Pollution Update
AQI was at 348 in NISE Gwal Pahari (very poor), 282 in Sector 51 (poor), 283 in Teri Gram (poor) and 270 in Vikas Sadan (poor) in Gurugram, Haryana.
Faridabad AQI Air Pollution Update
In Faridabad, Haryana, AQI stood at 325 in New Industrial Town (very poor), 268 in Sector 11 (poor), 227 in Sector 30 (poor) and 296 in Sector 16A (poor).
GRAP III Restrictions: Key points to know
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), which devises plans to tackle air pollution in the NCR and surrounding areas, has imposed GRAP 3 measures, as the overall quality of air remained in the "severe" category in the city. Here are some of the key points to keep in mind:
Ban on BS III diesel and petrol vehicles
Essential supplies and ambulances exempted
Diesel buses cannot enter the national capital from neighboring states
BS VI buses, EVs, CNG vehicles exempted
84 teams to monitor compliance
Violation to attract Rs 20,000 penalty
Ban on construction and demolition activities
Government construction projects to continue
Things you can do to tackle severe air quality
The CAQM has issued a list of dos and don'ts for the public.
Here are the dos:
Choose a cleaner commute
Share a ride to work or use public transport
Combine errands and reduce trips
Walk or use cycles for small distances
Individual house owners may provide electric heaters to security, other staff to avoid open burning of biomass, wood or municipal solid waste
What not to do
The CAQM has advised the public not to use coal and wood for heating purposes.
Take a look at CAQM's advisory on 'severe' air quality
