New Delhi: The Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi and its surrounding areas increased drastically to 'very poor' category, a day after Diwali. The national capital territory (NCT) woke up to thick and heavy layer of smog. Notably, this year, Delhi celebrated the festival of lights with ‘green’ firecrackers after the ban was lifted by the Supreme Court last week.
On Tuesday, Several monitoring stations marked in the 'Red Zone' of pollution. Most areas of the NCT recorded the AQI over 400.
Air Quality Index Today As Of 8 am today:
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi stood at 350. Meanwhile Defence Colony is the worst affected area of Delhi with AQI over 450.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader on Monday night tweeted the screenshot of Defence Colony's AQI. It was showing over 1,000.
Here Is The List Of Other Areas With AQI Over 300
Bawana: 423
Wazirpur: 408
Jahangirpuri: 407
Burari Crossing: 399
Ashok Vihar: 389
Punjabi Bagh: 378
Mundka: 366
Narela: 358
Anand Vihar: 358
Chandani Chowk: 350
Najafgarh:336
Patparganj: 342
ITO: 342
Lodhi Road: 322
IGI Airport (Terminal 3): 302
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.
GRAP Stage -2 Imposed In Delhi:
Meanwhile, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) had imposed Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the National Capital Region with immediate effect on Sunday.
"Actions under Stage I and II of the extant GRAP shall be implemented, monitored, and reviewed in earnest by all concerned agencies in the entire NCR to ensure that AQI levels do not slip further. All implementing agencies shall maintain a strict vigil and intensify measures to the extent specified in the GRAP schedule. Citizens may be requested to strictly adhere to the citizen charter under GRAP Stage-I & II", order by CAQM read.
As part of GRAP Stage 2, CAQM has directed the daily mechanical/vacuum sweeping and water sprinkling of the identified roads. Moreover, the Commission has called for increased parking fees, an increase in the frequency of bus and metro services, and the strict implementation of regulated operations of DG sets across all sectors to conserve power while ensuring an uninterrupted electricity supply.
"Ensure water sprinkling along with use of dust suppressants (at least every alternate day, during non-peak hours) on roads to arrest road dust, especially at hotspots, heavy traffic corridors, vulnerable areas and proper disposal of dust collected in designated sites/landfills," CAQM mentioned in an official statement.
Last week., the top court had relaxed its earlier blanket prohibition on fireworks in the national capital and permitted the sale and use of green fireworks with some conditions.
