The air in Delhi has reached its worst level this season. For the first time this season, people in Delhi are breathing the most poisonous air. The average AQI at 6 a.m. Monday was 481 and is in the “severe plus” category (450+) across the board. By morning, most areas of NCR were shrouded in a blanket of smog.
Pollution has reached dangerous levels not only in Delhi but also in NCR areas. While the average AQI in Delhi was 481, the average AQI was 384 in Noida, 400 in Ghaziabad, 446 in Gurugram and 320 in Faridabad.
Last night, Delhi’s average AQI reached 475 and the AQI level remained above 400 at almost all major places. In view of the situation, the Meteorological Department has also issued an orange alert for today and GRAP-IV rules have been implemented. . The government can make decisions such as odd-even, total closure of in-person classes, 50% attendance at offices and other emergency measures.
Also Read: Schools closed: After Delhi, stifling air pollution in this state too, schools closed in many districts
Delayed takeoff at the airport
Visibility at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) was 150 meters at 6 am. Due to fog, some flights are delayed by 30 minutes to an hour. There is still no news of any flight cancellations. Airport authorities have advised passengers to check flight schedules with operators.
GRAP-4 is being deployed starting today.
The situation is so bad that Rajdhani GRAP-4 is being implemented from today to control pollution. After the implementation of GRAP-IV, the entry of trucks from other states into Delhi will be closed, except for CNG and electric trucks and trucks carrying essential commodities. Entry of light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi is also prohibited. Under GRAP-IV, medium goods vehicles (MGVs) and heavy duty vehicles (HGVs) powered by BS-IV and sub-standard diesel have been banned.
According to the order, no trucks will be allowed to enter Delhi except those carrying essential commodities or using clean fuel (LNG/CNG/BS-VI diesel/electric). There will also be a ban on non-essential light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi, except electric, CNG and BS-VI diesel vehicles.
Also Read: AQI of many areas in Delhi crosses 500, no effect seen from Group 3 restrictions
Recommendation to close the university as well.
Under GRAP-IV, CAQM has recommended conducting online classes for students of classes 6 to 11. Under GRAP-III, classes for students up to class 5 are already being conducted in online mode. Apart from this, universities have also been recommended to be closed. However, CAQM has not ordered employees to work from home. But it has suggested to the Delhi government that the government, municipal corporations and private offices should be allowed to work at 50 per cent capacity and the rest should be allowed to work from home.
