Delhi’s air quality hits ‘severe plus’ category

Emergency measures, including ban on trucks, commercial four-wheelers, and all construction, are mandated to be initiated and enforced in NCR

Delhi’s air quality plummeted to the “severe plus” category on Friday morning, a stage at which all emergency measures, including a ban on polluting trucks, commercial four-wheelers, and all types of construction, are mandated to be initiated and enforced in the National Capital Region.

These measures constitute the final stage of the Centre’s air pollution control plan and should ideally be activated at least three days prior to the Air Quality Index surpassing the 450 mark in the capital, as outlined in a policy document prepared by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).

The CAQM, a statutory body responsible for devising strategies to combat pollution in the region, on Thursday, ordered a ban on non-essential construction work and specific categories of polluting vehicles but has yet to call upon Delhi and NCR states to implement all the emergency measures.

The Delhi government has also announced the closure of all primary schools for two days in an effort to safeguard young children from health-threatening pollution.
The city’s AQI skyrocketed from 351 at 10 am on Thursday to 471 at 9 am on Friday, reflecting a sudden increase in pollution levels due to highly unfavourable meteorological conditions and a sharp spike in stubble burning incidents in neighbouring states.

The city’s 24-hour average AQI, recorded at 4 pm each day, was 392 on Thursday, 364 on Wednesday, 359 on Tuesday, 347 on Monday, 325 on Sunday, 304 on Saturday, and 261 on Friday. 

471
AQI recorded in Delhi at 9am on Friday

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