Delhi's Air Quality 'Poor' for Third Day Straight, Visibility Better
Delhi's air quality remained 'poor' for the third straight day on Wednesday. The Central Pollution Control Board reported an AQI of '211' at 8 am. Drone footage revealed a light layer of smog covering the regions of Bikaji Cama, Moti Bagh, and AIIMS.
Images depicted numerous residents jogging at India Gate following a minor reduction in pollution levels.
The AQI in certain parts of the national capital was noted as moderate, with readings of 161 at ITO, 190 at Alipur, 181 at Chandni Chowk, and 197 at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at 8 a.m. However, the AQI in some areas still stood in the 'poor' category.
Ashok Vihar's AQI was recorded as 222, 218 at Lodhi Road and 216 at Patparganj.
An AQI between 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 is satisfactory, 101-200 is moderate, 201-300 is poor, 301-400 is very poor and 401-500 is severe.
The Supreme Court on Monday declined to ease the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)-IV measures aimed at reducing air pollution in Delhi and will address this issue in the next hearing.
A panel of justices Abhay S Oka and AG Masih observed that none of the NCR states—Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh—adhered to its order to compensate construction workers. Consequently, it instructed the Chief Secretaries of these states to attend the next session virtually. The Supreme Court remarked that progress only begins when top officials are summoned.
The highest court also stated that it will allow relaxations only after noting a decline in trends and mentioned that it will listen to the parties on Thursday regarding the changes to the applicability of GRAP IV.
Understand the Permissible and Prohibited Actions in GRAP-4 Regulations
-Truck Entry Restrictions
To curb vehicle emissions, trucks are restricted from entering Delhi. Exceptions are made for trucks transporting essential goods or services, those running on eco-friendly fuels like LNG, CNG, or electric power, and trucks that comply with BS-VI diesel emission norms.
-Limitations on Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs)
LCVs registered outside of Delhi are not allowed to enter the city unless they fulfill one of the following conditions: They are powered by CNG, electric energy, or BS-VI diesel, or they are transporting essential goods or services.
-Ban on Construction and Demolition (C&D) Activities
All construction and demolition activities, including projects such as highways, flyovers, and power infrastructure, have been paused temporarily. This suspension also applies to public works like road construction, pipelines, and telecommunications projects.
-Shift to Online Education
Schools in Delhi have shifted to online classes, halting in-person sessions for the majority of students. However, exceptions are granted for Class 10 and Class 12 students as they get ready for their secondary and higher examinations.
Work-from-Home Policies for Schools and Offices
Educational Institutions: Delhi’s Environment Minister Gopal Rai has led a meeting to discuss the possibility of online classes for students in Grades 6 to 9 and Grade 11.
Workplaces: Workplaces in the public, municipal, and private sectors are recommended to have 50% of their employees work remotely. Central government offices might also adopt these measures.
Potential Emergency Measures
State authorities may introduce further emergency actions, such as:
Suspending non-essential commercial activities.
Restricting operations in colleges and universities.
Implementing an odd-even vehicle system to reduce traffic emissions.
Health Advisory for Residents
Citizens are urged to prioritize their health, particularly:
Children, senior citizens, and individuals with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.
Avoiding outdoor activities and staying indoors during high pollution hours.
Citizen Participation in GRAP
Public cooperation is vital in enforcing GRAP-4 measures. Residents are encouraged to:
Reduce unnecessary outdoor activities.
Actively support initiatives aimed at reducing pollution.