Air quality in Delhi remains ‘Very Poor’
Reportedly the air quality in the national capital remained in the ‘very poor’ category on Thursday, with the air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 336 as of 8:30 pm, according to the System of air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR). anand vihar and Jahangirpuri were the worst affected areas with AQIs of 392 and 390 respectively, SAFAR data showed. The AQI at rk Puram was recorded at 359 and 348 in Dwarka and Najafgarh. air quality is categorised into six distinct levels: 0-50 is classified as ‘Good,’ 51-100 as ‘Satisfactory,’ 101-200 as ‘Moderate,’ 201-300 as ‘Poor,’ 301-400 as ‘Very Poor,’ and 401-500 as ‘Severe.’Perhaps the india Meteorological Department (IMD) cited unfavourable climatic conditions due to which the air quality in delhi is expected to stay ‘very poor’ in the coming days. Stubble burning in neighboring haryana and punjab is also a major factor in the deteriorating air quality this time. In response to the worsening air quality, the Centre has implemented stage two of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), introducing several restrictions beginning from october 22. Under stage two of the GRAP, mechanical sweeping and water sprinkling on identified roads will be carried out on a daily basis.Furthermore, dust control measures will be enforced at construction and demolition sites, use of power generator sets will be discouraged and do’s and don’ts for minimizing polluting activities will be issued in news media. Traffic personnel will be deployed at congestion points, vehicle parking fees will be increased to discourage private transport and additional bus and metro services will be started.