AQI in Anand Vihar area dips into ‘Severe’ category as per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
Reportedly delhi woke up to yet another morning of thick smog on friday with the air quality remaining in the ‘Severe’ category for the third consecutive day across several parts of the region. In view of the worsening air quality in the national capital, Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) came into force today, following an order by the Commission for air Quality Management (CAQM) on Friday. While GRAP-3 is in effect, construction and demolition works will be halted, all non-essential mining activities will be suspended, and non-electric, non-CNG, and non-BS-VI diesel interstate buses will be restricted. The schools have been ordered to switch to online teaching for students of classes up to 5 in Delhi-NCR.Meanwhile the low visibility conditions in the national capital and surrounding areas due to thick fog delayed several trains and flights on Friday. As many as 15 trains approaching the New delhi Railway Station (NDLS) were delayed, said officials, adding that they were running late by 1 hour or more. Several flights travelling to and from delhi, varanasi and amritsar were also affected due to the unfavourable visibility factor. In New delhi, the air quality remained in the ‘very poor’ category for 14 consecutive days until tuesday evening, with vehicular emissions being the largest contributor, accounting for 15.4 per cent of the pollution.Moreover the air Quality Warning System under the Ministry of Earth Sciences warned that with slow wind speeds, the meteorological conditions are likely to remain extremely unfavourable for effective dispersion of pollutants.