The overall air quality in Delhi-NCR remains ‘severe’ for the fifth consecutive day, with the AQI standing at 488, according to the Central Pollution Control Board. Data from the System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research (SAFAR-India) indicates an air quality index of 488, up from 410 a day ago.
In response, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai has called a meeting of relevant departments to address the escalating pollution. The meeting aims to enforce GRAP-4, as reported by ANI.
This decision follows the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoking Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the entire National Capital Region (NCR) to prevent further deterioration. Stage IV includes a ban on the plying of Delhi-registered diesel-operated Medium Goods Vehicles (MGVs) and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) in Delhi, except those carrying essential commodities or providing essential services.
GRAP Stage-IV restrictions also include the possibility that NCR state governments and GNCTD may choose to discontinue physical classes for classes VI-IX and class XI and conduct lessons online.
Medical experts recommend an AQI of less than 50 for a healthy person. Currently, the AQI exceeds 400, posing a significant health risk, particularly to those with lung-related illnesses. The primary sources of air pollution in the city are stubble burning in neighboring states such as Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab.
Bathinda, Punjab, also experiences poor air quality, with an overall Air Quality Index of 215. Local residents appealed to the government to curb stubble burning, citing health concerns.
“Do not let the farmers set the stubble on fire. The smoke will cause great health problems for the people,” locals said.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has highlighted the need for immediate action to prevent and control air pollution in these cities for the well-being of residents.
What is the Air Quality Index (AQI)?
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a vital tool for effectively communicating air quality status to the public in an easily understandable manner. It consists of six AQI categories: Good, Satisfactory, Moderately Polluted, Poor, Very Poor, and Severe.
Each category is determined based on the levels of ambient concentrations of air pollutants and their potential health impacts, known as health breakpoints. According to the AQI scale, air quality falls into the following ranges: 0 to 50 is ‘good,’ 51 to 100 is ‘satisfactory,’ 101 to 200 is ‘moderate,’ 201 to 300 is ‘poor,’ 301 to 400 is ‘very poor,’ and 401 to 450 is ‘severe.”
(With ANI Inputs)