New Delhi: It seems that two successive days of severe air pollution have gone from Delhi. On Tuesday, the capital’s air quality had moved to the “very poor” category, with Air Quality Index at 369. On this development, the CAQM withdrew the Stage-IV restrictions placed under the Graded Response Action Plan.
Gymming And Other Indoor Activities Resuming Under Ease Curbs
The GRAP Stage-IV restrictions have now been lifted and resumption of linear public projects or projects of public importance is permitted along with entry of trucks. However, the important prohibitions are in place, that are under GRAP Stage-III.
Remaining Prohibitions
No construction and demolition activities are allowed except for the cases of public projects.
Plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles are strictly not allowed.
Entry of no-compliant interstate buses is also prohibited.
GRAP-IV norms were enforced when the AQI went above 400 mark on 16th of Dec, falling into the “severe” category. According to the guidelines by CAQM, Stage-III restrictions come into play when the AQI crosses 350 mark and Stage-IV comes into action when the AQI breaks the 400 mark
AQI Trends on Tues
The air quality in Delhi improved mildly during the day.
11:00 AM: AQI of 494 (“severe”)
12:00 PM: AQI was lowered to 490
3:00 PM: AQI reached 378
7:00 PM: AQI was 358
Daily average AQI ended the day at 369 and thus indicates improvement, still under the “very poor” category.
Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi:
The air quality is going to improve in the following days:
25-26 Dec: The AQI may likely to continue in the “very poor” category
27 Dec: The AQI may likely to show a tendency towards the “poor” category.
Next Six days: AQI will likely to remain between “moderate” to “very poor”.
Weather conditions would dictate the air quality since the northeast winds are expected to blow at a maximum speed of 4 kmph in the morning and later; however, there may be some smog and fog in parts. Moderate fog should occur in most places whereas dense fog is expected to be reported in isolated places.
Even as some relief comes from the cancellation of GRAP Stage-IV restrictions, the ongoing air pollution situation calls for vigilance and appropriate measures to battle the poor quality of air in Delhi.
Source: Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)