Page 18 - Air Quality Index

Centre revises air pollution control plan for Delhi-NCR, tightens curbs

The Centre's panel on Delhi-NCR air quality has issued a revised plan to tackle winter pollution, asking states to implement stricter measures when the air quality deteriorates and making it mandatory for schools to shift to hybrid learning on days with severe air pollution. Poor air quality, driven by unfavourable weather conditions, usually persists for long periods during winter, from November to January. During this time, Delhi frequently enforces restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which categorises air quality into four stages: Stage I (Poor) with AQI between 201 and 300, Stage II (Very Poor) between 301 and 400, Stage III (Severe) between 401 and 450, and Stage IV (Severe Plus) for AQI above 450. According to the revised plan, inter-state buses from NCR states, except those EVs and those running CNG or BS-VI diesel, will not be allowed to enter Delhi under Stage II. This provision earlier came into effect under Stage III. Resident welfare associations

Delhi AQI continues to remain 'poor'; residents relieved as cold wave eases

Cold wave eases in Delhi after temperatures dropped to 4 degrees Celsius on Thursday, moderate to poor AQI in city

AQI at 275: Delhi's air quality deteriorates, commission faces criticism

The Air Quality Early Warning System predicts Delhi's air quality will remain in the 'poor' category for the next two to three days

Drone mist-spraying pilot project in hitch for high costs, limited results

A pilot project that involves the use of drones to spray mist at pollution hotspots has not been approved over the high cost and lack of measurable results, an official has said. The technology was proposed as part of Delhi's 21-point Winter Action Plan to combat worsening air quality. Officials have deemed the project costly and ineffective, stating it has failed to deliver significant, measurable improvements. "The technology is extremely expensive and does not provide noticeable advancements compared to existing methods, which are already yielding better results at a fraction of the cost," an official involved in the evaluation told PTI. On November 8, a demonstration of the project was conducted at Anand Vihar, one of Delhi's most polluted areas. During the demonstration, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai highlighted challenges posed by hotspots, such as narrow roads or congested areas where traditional modes of transport, such as trucks, cannot reach. "Pollution levels in

Delhi's air quality deteriorates amid cold wave; likely to remain 'poor'

Delhi's AQI dipped despite persisting winds of 8-10 kmph on Wednesday evening due to 'cold wave' conditions

Pollution levels drop across India; only 3 cities report 'very poor' AQI

Delhi's air quality witnessed a remarkable turnaround over the weekend, driven by fast winds and light rainfall, resulting in one of the cleanest starts to December in years

Delhi air quality improves a bit; AQI drops to 207, some areas 'moderate'

Improved air quality in Delhi as AQI drops to 207; Lodhi Road, Pusa among areas recording 'moderate' levels

Delhi's 'poor' air quality shows no improvement, AQI recorded at 224

Delhi's AQI continued to be in the 'poor' category, even as some areas in the city showed improved air quality

Delhi's AQI remains 'poor', can Grap-IV restrictions be reintroduced?

Today, most areas across Delhi reported the "poor" quality air, however a few locations also recorded the "moderate" air quality

Delhi's air quality remains in 'Poor' category: Is worst over for capital?

The neighbouring cities of Gurugram and Noida are now breathing easy as their air quality hovers in the "moderate" category, while Ghaziabad continues to struggle with poor air quality

Delhi's air in 'poor' category with AQI of 219, smog covers key NCR areas

Delhi's air quality worsened to the 'poor' category with an AQI of 219, smog blanketed NCR; authorities scaled down pollution measures from Grap-IV to Grap-II

Highlights: Wad of currency notes recovered from Abhishek Manu Singhvi's seat; Dhankhar orders probe

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Punjab, Haryana impose Rs 2.3 cr penalties on farmers for stubble burning

Punjab and Haryana have imposed fines exceeding Rs 2.1 crore and Rs 21 lakh respectively, on farmers for stubble burning in 2024, with more than 50 per cent of penalties collected

Delhi AQI reaches 186 as authorities ease Grap-III and IV pollution curbs

As the air quality improved to 'moderate' from 'poor,' it is expected that it will continue for the next two to three days as most areas in Delhi reported moderate air quality this morning

SC eases Grap restrictions in Delhi, moves to Stage II due to improved AQI

The top court said that if AQI goes above 350. Stage-III measures will have to be immediately implemented, and if AQI crosses 400 on a given day, Stage-IV measures will have to be re-introduced

Want clean air in Delhi? 5-star hotels turn air filtration into a 'service'

As Delhi battles high pollution levels, luxury hotels offer clean air through advanced filtration systems, turning guest rooms into spaces with AQI levels dramatically lower than the city's

Delhi's AQI improves to 161, pollution relief to continue for 2-3 days

Delhi's AQI came down to the 'moderate' category on Wednesday evening, with this period of relief expected to continue for the next two to three days

Delhi's average AQI remains 'poor' while a few areas improve to 'moderate'

Supreme Court upholds GRAP-IV restrictions amid concerns over enforcement

Delhi's Nov PM 2.5 level reaches highest monthly avg in 8 yrs despite Grap

Delhi's PM2.5 level in November reached its highest monthly average in eight years despite the implementation of GRAP measures, a recent report has revealed. A report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) highlighted that Delhi's PM2.5 concentration soared to an average of 249 micrograms per cubic metre in November -- the highest since 2017 -- despite enforcement of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) and a decrease in stubble burning incidents. In November 2016, the average PM2.5 level was recorded at 254 micrograms per cubic metre, the highest November reading, followed by 249 micrograms per cubic metre this year. PM2.5 are fine particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less, about the width of a human hair. These are so small that these can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, posing significant health risks. A report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) highlighted that Delhi's PM2.5 concentration soared

Delhi's air in 'poor' category with AQI of 274; SC retains Grap-IV measures

Despite Delhi's AQI improving to 274, the Supreme Court said that it will retain Grap-IV restrictions, citing the need for a sustained downward trend in air pollution levels