New Delhi: In the backdrop of deteriorating air quality in Delhi-NCR region due to rise in emissions from farm fires, bursting of crackers during Diwali celebrations and adverse meteorological conditions, officials on Friday issued an advisory to residents Asked to limit outdoor activities.
The central pollution watchdog has asked government and private offices to cut vehicular usage by at least 30 per cent as the air quality in Delhi-NCR escalated to emergency levels.
According to a sub-committee on Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), the meteorological conditions will be highly unfavorable for the dispersion of pollutants by November 18 and the agencies concerned should be fully prepared to implement the measures under the ’emergency’ category. needed.
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Over 4,000 fires, which accounted for 35 per cent of Delhi’s pollution on Friday, played a major role in pushing the 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) to 471 by 4 pm, news agency PTI reported. The agency told PTI.
Responding to the same, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) noted that the 24-hour average concentration of lung-damaging fine particulates, known as PM 2.5, in Delhi-NCR recently reached 300. The figure has been crossed and has become 381 micrograms per cubic. Friday evening at 4 m.
This is over six times the safe limit of 60 micrograms per cubic metre.
GRAP also pointed out that the air quality in NCR is likely to be in the ’emergency’ category if PM2.5 levels remain above 300 micrograms per cubic meter for the next two days or more.
Advisory issued by Sub-Committee on GRAP for Delhi-NCR
I. Government and private offices and other establishments are advised to reduce vehicle usage by at least 30 percent (by working from home, carpooling, optimizing field activities, etc.). People are advised to limit outdoor activities and reduce their exposure.
Second The agencies concerned should be fully prepared for the implementation of measures under the ’emergency’ category as per GRAP (Grade Response Action Plan).
iii. Other measures to be followed in the event of an ’emergency’ include ban on entry of trucks into Delhi, ban on construction activities and introduction of odd-even car ration scheme.
The GRAP is a set of anti-pollution measures in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) based on the severity of pollution that are implemented in mid-October when air quality levels begin to deteriorate.
AQI in National Capital Region
In terms of AQI, the level was 460 in Faridabad, 486 in Ghaziabad, 478 in Greater Noida, 448 in Gurgaon and 488 in Noida – all in the ‘severe’ category of air quality at 4 pm on Friday.
AQI between zero and 50 is ‘good’, 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 and 200 ‘moderate’, 201 and 300 ‘poor’, 301 and 400 ‘very poor’ and 401 and 500 ‘severe’ ‘ is believed.
The smog prevailed in Delhi-NCR on Friday
A layer of haze over Delhi-NCR worsened on Friday evening, reducing visibility by 200 meters at many places in the region.
Even at Indira Gandhi International Airport and Safdarjung Airport, the visibility level dropped to 200-500 meters due to moderate fog. It intensified further on Friday due to humidity.
(with inputs from PTI)
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