With restrictions under stage four of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) already invoked, the air quality index (AQI) in Delhi continues to be near ‘severe+’ (AQI above 450) category.
The worsening of the air quality has been seen now amid relaxations in curbs on December 5 and also after the main stubble burning period ended November 30.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board data at 11 a.m on Wednesday the average AQI was 440, a tad down from 442 at 8 am.
Out of 37 monitoring stations from where data are available, as many as 19 spots had AQI above 450 and the highest was 484 at Anand Vihar, the CPCB website shows at 11 am. Only four spots had an AQI below 400 while the remaining 13 spots had between 410 and 450.
The GRAP for national capital region (NCR) of Delhi is divided into four stages of air quality – Stage 1 for “poor” Air Quality Index (AQI) ranging between 201 and 300, Stage 2 for “very poor” AQI of 301-400, Stage 3 for “severe” AQI of 401-450, and Stage 4 for “severe plus” AQI above 450.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for the national capital region (NCR) of Delhi late on Monday invoked GRAP IV restrictions with immediate effect.
The Union Environment Ministry issued a statement around 7 pm on Monday announcing GRAP III restrictions with immediate effect, and after 11 pm, released another statement saying GRAP IV curbs were placed with immediate effect.
The Supreme Court, on December 5, had allowed relaxations of restrictions under GRAP IV (invoked from November 18) only after air quality improved. Under GRAP IV curbs, Delhi and State governments in the NCR are expected to discontinue physical classes in all schools for classes VI-IX and class XI. However, all LNG, CNG, electric, and BS-VI diesel trucks are permitted to enter Delhi.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that the minimum temperature was 5.4 Degree Celsius (at Aya Nagar), 3 Degree Celsius below normal, with the humidity level at 93 per cent at 8.30 am. The maximum temperature is likely to settle around 22 Degrees Celsius and minimum at 5 Degree Celsius on Wednesday, IMD said in a bulletin.