Page 45 - Delhi Air Quality

Delhi's AQI 'very poor' at 290 on Sunday evening, no major relief likely

Delhi and its suburbs recorded a marginal improvement on Sunday though a major relief is unlikely in the coming days, monitoring agencies said. The city's Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 290 at 7 am but deteriorated to 301 by 4 pm. The 24-hour average AQI, recorded at 4 pm every day, was 319 on Saturday, 405 on Friday and 419 on Thursday. Neighbouring Ghaziabad (280), Gurugram (234), Greater Noida (236), Noida (268) and Faridabad (327) also recorded "poor" to "very poor" air quality. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered good', 51 and 100 satisfactory', 101 and 200 moderate', 201 and 300 poor', 301 and 400 very poor', 401 and 450 severe' and above 450 severe plus'. The Centre on Saturday removed stringent curbs, including a ban on construction work related to linear projects and the entry of polluting trucks into Delhi, in view of the dip in air pollution levels due to favourable wind speed and direction. These measures constitute the final stage -- Stage IV -- of the Centre'

Air pollution levels in Delhi down but need to remain vigilant: Gopal Rai

Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Sunday said that although the air quality in Delhi has shown improvement in the past two days, people should remain vigilant and adhere to pollution control measures. Rai also recalled that the progress made just before Diwali due to rain and favourable meteorological conditions was compromised by people bursting firecrackers. "Despite the recent improvements, it's crucial to stay cautious and follow all air pollution control measures," the minister told reporters. Delhi and its suburbs witnessed a further improvement in air quality on Sunday, attributed primarily to favourable atmospheric conditions such as wind direction and speed. At 7 am, the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 290. The 24-hour average AQI was 319 on Saturday, 405 on Friday and 419 on Thursday. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', 401 and 450 'severe', and above 450

Delhi's air quality now in 'poor' category with 209 AQI, govt lifts curbs

On Friday, Delhi's AQI was close to falling into the "severe plus" category, following which, the government would have implemented the odd-even car rationing measure

Delhi schools to resume classes from Nov 20 after Grap IV curbs lifted

All government-aided and private schools in the national capital shall resume classes in offline mode from November 20 as GRAP IV has been revoked, an official circular said on Saturday. The decision has been taken in view of the improving AQI and forecast by the IMD/IITM that there is no indication of any sharp degradation in Delhi's AQI in the near future, a circular by the Directorate of Education said. Classes for all students from pre-school to standard 12 will resume from November 20 onwards, the circular said. The Centre's Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for Delhi-NCR categorises actions to control pollution into four stages: Stage I -- Poor (AQI 201-300), Stage II -- Very Poor (AQI 301-400), Stage III -- Severe (AQI 401-450) and Stage IV -- Severe Plus (AQI above 450). However, outdoor sports activities and morning assembly will remain suspended for the next one week, the circular added. "This is in continuation of order issued on 18/11/2023 vide which winter break w.e

Stage-IV measures under Grap revoked as pollution reduces in Delhi

The Centre on Saturday ordered the revocation of a ban on construction work related to linear public projects in Delhi-NCR and the entry of polluting trucks and commercial four-wheelers into the national capital following an improvement air quality in the region due to favourable wind speed and direction. These measures constitute the final stage, Stage IV, of the Centre's air pollution control plan, which is activated at least three days before the Air Quality Index (AQI) surpasses the 450-mark in the capital. The Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM), a statutory body responsible for formulating strategies to combat pollution in the region, asked Delhi and NCR states to revoke all emergency measures, which allow only CNG, electric and BS VI-compliant vehicles from other states to enter Delhi, with exemptions granted to those involved in essential services. All medium and heavy goods vehicles not engaged in essential services we

Ensure ban of private polluting buses in Delhi: AAP govt to authorities

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai directed the transport department on Friday to conduct a special drive to prevent the entry of private polluting buses into the capital. The minister reviewed the implementation of air pollution control measures at the Sarai Kale Interstate Bus Terminal and found buses from other states flouting the ban imposed on BS IV diesel vehicles under the Centre's Graded Response Action Plan. "We have found that private buses from other states have been violating the ban and have directed the transport department to run a special drive to check the entry of such vehicles into Delhi," he told reporters. Citing experts' views, Rai said that a slight improvement in meteorological conditions might lead to marginal relief but urged agencies to remain alert. Strict restrictions, including a ban on construction work and the entry of polluting trucks into the capital, under the final stage (Stage IV) of the Centre's air pollution control plan, known as the Graded

Delhi's AQI close to 'severe plus'; odd-even rule may be imposed soon

Earlier this week, Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai mentioned the possibility of the return of the odd-even car rationing measure if the AQI crosses the 450 mark

Delhi's air quality 'very poor', vehicular emissions largest contributor

Delhi air quality: Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai will on Thursday hold a meeting with departments on the effective implementation of measures outlined in the Centre's air pollution control plan

Delhi govt sets up 6-member STF to implement Grap as air quality worsens

The Delhi government on Thursday set up a six-member special task force to ensure strict implementation of measures outlined in the Centre's air pollution control plan GRAP in the capital, Environment Minister Gopal Rai said. Delhi's special secretary (environment) will head the STF whose members include senior officials from the departments of transport, traffic, revenue, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and Public Works Department (PWD). The STF will coordinate with all the departments involved in the enforcement of pollution control measures and submit a report to the government daily, Rai told reporters. Earlier in the day, Rai held a meeting with departments on the effective implementation of anti-air pollution measures. Rai had previously reprimanded the departments concerned for their negligence in executing the air pollution control plan and urged them to establish a monitoring mechanism for overseeing the teams responsible for enforcing anti-air pollution ...

Punjab reports over 1,200 farm fires despite red alert; Delhi AQI 'severe'

Punjab reported more than 1,200 stubble burning incidents on Thursday, while air quality indices turned 'severe' and 'very poor' in neighbouring Haryana. The fresh crop residue burning cases indicated that there was no let up in such cases despite the Punjab Police sounding a red alert in all the districts, warning of legal action against those found burning stubble. Moreover, flying squads have also been keeping a vigil on stubble burning in the state. Amid a spike in pollution levels in Delhi-NCR, the Supreme Court on November 7 directed Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to ensure crop residue burning was stopped "forthwith", saying it cannot let "people die" due to pollution. Punjab on Thursday reported 1,271 farm fires, taking the total number of such cases to 31,932. Of the farm fires reported on Thursday, Moga recorded maximum such cases at 237, followed by 170 in Bathinda, 145 in Barnala, 129 in Sangrur, 113 in Faridkot and 110 in Ludhiana, according to the Punja

Delhi pollution: Env minister calls key meet for effective action on crisis

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai will on Thursday hold a meeting with departments on the effective implementation of measures outlined in the Centre's air pollution control plan, officials said. The meeting will be held at the Delhi Secretariat at 1 pm, an official said. Rai had previously reprimanded the departments concerned for their negligence in executing the air pollution control plan and urged them to establish a monitoring mechanism for overseeing the teams responsible for enforcing anti-air pollution measures. Delhi's air quality fluctuated between the 'very poor' and 'severe' categories on Thursday due to unfavourable meteorological conditions hindering the dispersion of pollutants. The capital's Air Quality Index stood at 393 at 9 am on Thursday. Its 24-hour average AQI, recorded at 4 pm every day, stood at 401 on Wednesday. It was 397 on Tuesday. It was 358 on Monday and 218 on Sunday, 220 on Saturday, 279 on Friday and 437 on Thursday. Recent findings from a joint

Farm fires: Punjab sounds red alert, violators to face legal action

A red alert has been sounded in all the districts of Punjab and legal action will be initiated if anyone found burning stubble, said a senior police official on Wednesday. The move is aimed at ensuring compliance with the directions of the Supreme Court to put a full stop to crop residue burning. Amid a spike in pollution levels in Delhi-NCR, the apex court on November 7 directed Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to ensure crop residue burning was stopped "forthwith", saying it cannot let "people die" due to pollution. Thereafter, Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav had appointed special DGP (law and order) Arpit Shukla as the nodal officer to monitor action against stubble burning. Shukla on Wednesday said commissioners of police and senior superintendents of police have been directed to sensitise farmers, citizens and various stakeholders about the ill-effects of the stubble burning, which is also a violation of law and action could be initiated against ...

Poisonous haze blanketing Delhi thickens, air quality turns 'severe' again

The poisonous haze blanketing Delhi thickened on Wednesday with the air quality turning severe again amid stable atmospheric conditions. The national capital's 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI), recorded at 4 pm every day, stood at 401. It was 397 on Tuesday. It was 358 on Monday and 218 on Sunday, 220 on Saturday, 279 on Friday and 437 on Thursday. Neighbouring Ghaziabad (378), Gurugram (297), Greater Noida (338), Noida (360) and Faridabad (390) also recorded very poor air quality. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', 401 and 450 'severe' and above 450 'severe plus'. Delhi's air quality dropped over the last few days despite the state government implementing stringent measures, including a ban on construction work and the entry of diesel-guzzling trucks into the city, to control pollution. According to IQAir, a Swiss company that specialises in air quality ...

'Odd-even' scheme if pollution reaches 'severe' plus levels: Delhi govt

Nine out of 11 state capitals analysed in India recorded higher pollution in the first 12 hours after Diwali celebrations this year as compared to last year.

Delhi continues to breathe poisonous air, AQI in several parts 'severe'

Delhi air pollution: Doctors say breathing in the polluted air of Delhi is equivalent to the harmful effects of smoking approximately ten cigarettes a day

Air pollution in Delhi nears 'severe' category again, relief unlikely soon

Air pollution in Delhi neared the "severe" category again amid unfavourable meteorological conditions on Tuesday and a relief is unlikely soon. The capital's 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI), recorded at 4 pm everyday, stood at 397, worsening from 358 on Monday and 218 on Sunday. Air pollution levels hit the severe category (AQI above 400) at many places within the city, including ITO (427), RK Puram (422), Punjabi Bagh (423), Nehru Nagar (450), Anand Vihar (439) and Nehru Nagar (450). Neighbouring Ghaziabad (356), Gurugram (386), Greater Noida (348), Noida (364) and Faridabad (384) also recorded very poor air quality. Squandering the relief due to rain, Delhi recorded a jump in pollution levels and a smoky haze returned on Monday after people flouted the ban on firecrackers on Diwali night. According to IQAir, a Swiss company that specialises in air quality monitoring, Delhi was the most polluted city in the world on Tuesday, followed by Dhaka Lahore and Mumbai. Delhi rec

BJP controls police, why didn't they stop crackers: Gopal Rai on Delhi AQI

Going on the offensive against the BJP, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that the party was trying to hide its mistakes

Delhi pollution row: AAP blames Diwali but silent on parali, alleges BJP

As pollution levels in Delhi spiked again on Tuesday the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Aam Admi Party are engaged in a war of words.BJP spokesperson has alleged that the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had made the national capital a gas chamber, and his party is silent on the internal causes of Delhi's pollution."Today, AQI in Delhi is crossing 400 in many areas. Note: No DIWALI, no crackers burst yesterday ; no crackers burst 10 days ago when AQI was 600 plus. Reason: Punjab Parali continues to burn despite SC warnings of 2611 farm fires in two days. 26000 plus farm fires in this season," Poonawalla posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday.He further said that AAP government is only blaming Hindus, Diwali, the Centre, Haryana, and UP but is silent on Punjab Parali."There are also internal causes of pollution in Delhi- 1) Dust, 2) Industrial & construction, 3) vehicular pollution, 4) biomass burning 2) Industrial and construction, 3) vehicular pollution and 4) ...

Two days after Diwali, air quality in Delhi falls to 'severe'; AQI at 430

AQI.CN pegged the air quality index (AQI) in the national capital at 428. The AQI in Punjabi Bagh was recorded at 341, whereas in RK Puram AQI was at 350

Delhi pollution: AAP minister checks Singhu border for vehicle restrictions

Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Monday sai that GRAP IV regulations will remain enforced in Delhi until the next order of the Commission for Air Quality Management.