A layer of haze enveloped Delhi on Saturday morning and the air quality in the city inched near the 'severe' category amid unfavorable weather conditions. These adverse weather conditions include low temperatures and calm air and an increase in the incidence of stubble burning in Punjab. An official of the Air Quality Management Commission (CAQM) said officials may review the situation in the evening and take a decision on implementing anti-pollution measures under the third phase of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
These measures include a ban on construction and demolition activities and BS3 (petrol) and BS4 (diesel) four-wheelers except for essential projects in the National Capital Region (NCR). Delhi's overall air quality index (AQI) stood at 398 (very poor) at 11 am, up from 357 at 4 pm on Friday. It was 354 on Thursday, 271 on Wednesday, 302 on Tuesday, and 312 on Monday (on Diwali).
Anand Vihar (454 AQI) remained the most polluted place in the capital. Wazirpur (439), Narela (423), Ashok Vihar (428), Vivek Vihar (427), and Jahangirpuri (438) were the monitoring stations where the air quality was recorded in the 'severe' category. The air quality in the neighboring cities of Ghaziabad (381), Noida (392), Greater Noida (398), Gurugram (360), and Faridabad (391) also touched the 'severe' category.
AQI between zero and 50 is 'good', 51 to 100 'satisfactory', 101 to 200 'moderate', 201 to 300 'poor', 301 to 400 'very poor, and 401 to 500 AQI between the two is considered 'severe'. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the concentration of the lung-damaging particulate matter PM 2.5 was above 400 micrograms per cubic meter in many areas at 11 a.m., nearly seven times the safe limit of 60 micrograms per cubic meter.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that there were slow winds during the night. The department said that there is a forecast of moderate-speed (eight kilometers per hour) winds during the day. Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 15.6 degrees Celsius on Saturday. The maximum temperature is expected to be around 31 degree Celsius.
SAFAR, a forecasting agency under the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences, has predicted an increase in the share of stubble burning in Delhi's pollution in the coming days. The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) on Friday reported 2,067 incidents of stubble burning in Punjab, the highest so far this season. On Friday, the institute registered 124 and 34 cases of stubble burning in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh respectively.
A CAQM official said a decision on the implementation of restrictions under Phase III of GRAP is likely to be taken on Saturday evening. The official said that if the AQI becomes 'severe', the authorities will be asked to do away with construction and demolition, plumbing in the NCR, barring essential projects (such as railways, metro, airports, ISBTs, national security/defense-related projects of national importance), the official said. There is a need to ban polluting activities like wood work, interior decoration, and electrical work.
Apart from this, a ban can also be imposed on brick kilns, hot mix plants, stone crushers, and mining and related activities in NCR. The governments of the states which fall under the Delhi-National Capital Region can also ban BS3 (petrol) and BS4 (diesel) four-wheelers under the third phase.
Also Read: Delhi-NCR AQI: Delhi's pollution level improves after Diwali, Greater Noida's air is the best
'Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh is a demon and he sees a fault in saffron', Anil Vij lashed out at Bhupesh Baghel
Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij has targeted Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. He said that the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh is a demon and he sees a fault in saffron. Vij further said that
Qatar's love for India... Cooperation will be provided in many sectors including economy, energy, and gas; meeting with PM Modi tomorrow.
The central government, which is moving ahead to increase the share of gas in its economy from the current 7 percent to 15 percent by the year 2030, can now buy more gas from Qatar. Talks are going to
PSEB 5th Class Result 2023: Punjab Board class fifth result released, know where and how to check
Punjab School Education Board announced PSEB 5th Class Result 2023: Punjab School Education Board has announced the PSEB 5th Class Result 2023 on April 6, 2023, at 3 pm. Students who have appeared in
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3: 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3' achieved huge success even before its release, recovered 90 percent of its budget
Kartik Aaryan's next film 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3' is in the news even before its release. Directed by Anees Bazmee, this horror-comedy film also stars Vidya Balan, Tripti Dimri, and Madhuri Dixit. The
Government's tough stance after Rashmika Mandanna's deep fake video case, content will have to be removed within 24 hours of the complaint
Government On Rashmika Mandanna Deepfake Controversy: Rashmika Mandanna recently came into the limelight for her Deepfake video. The actress had informed through social media that one of her videos
Xiaomi 13 Ultra launched with a 50 MP camera, this smartphone will run for an hour with a one percent battery
Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi has launched Xiaomi 13 Ultra. The smartphone is equipped with Leica-tuned cameras with high-end custom Summicron lenses. In this article, we will tell you about its
Be prepared to face severe heat, 'fire' will rain from the sky in 16 states including UP-Bihar till April-June; IMD gave an update
Summer has also started with the arrival of April. India is going to experience severe heat this year. IMD itself has warned about this. IMD said that from April to June, the temperature is likely to
JEE Main Exam 2025: This is a big change in the pattern of the JEE Main exam! know full details
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has made changes in the pattern of the question paper of JEE Main 2025. NTA has said that Section B of the exam will no longer include optional questions. This change
Rajat Dalal Viral Video: 'It doesn't matter if I fell, it's my daily work' Social media influencer hits a bike rider
A video of social media influencer Rajat Dalal, who is surrounded by controversies, is going viral on social media. The person seen in the video claims that he is Rajat Dalal who is driving a car at
Ram Sethu: Demand to declare 'Ram Setu' as national heritage, Supreme Court asked - Why is the Center backing out?
BJP leader Subramanian Swamy has filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking to declare the historic Rama Setu in Tamil Nadu as a national heritage monument. When the central government sought time
