With air quality rapidly worsening in Delhi, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has invoked Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to combat the rising pollution levels. At 8 a.m. today, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 317, placing it in the “very poor” category, according to real-time data from SAFAR.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that the AQI will remain in the ‘very poor’ category in the coming days due to unfavorable climatic conditions.
Under Stage 2 of GRAP, restrictions include the ban on the use of coal, firewood, and diesel generator sets in the Delhi-NCR region. Daily mechanical sweeping and water sprinkling on roads, dust control at construction sites, and traffic management at congestion points are among the measures being implemented. Increased bus and metro services have also been introduced to encourage public transportation.
Delhiites are urged to avoid personal vehicles, replace air filters in their automobiles regularly, and refrain from construction activities that generate dust. Open burning of solid waste and biomass has also been strictly prohibited.
The Delhi government’s “Red Light On-Gaadi Off” campaign was launched to further mitigate pollution, encouraging drivers to turn off engines at red lights.
With air quality expected to remain poor, further stages of GRAP could be invoked if conditions worsen, bringing stricter measures like school closures and work-from-home policies.
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