AQI reaches ‘severe’ levels, Delhi enforces GRAP-III

NEW DELHI | Updated: 23 December, 2023 2:34 pm IST

Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has reinforced the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) III (TNI file photo by Sumit Kumar

NEW DELHI: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has reinforced the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) III in Delhi as the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached the ‘severe’ category on Saturday.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the AQI surged to 447, prompting the CAQM to take immediate measures.

Environment Minister, Gopal Rai, addressed the media and stated while the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi lingered in the ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’ categories in recent days, it has now taken a severe turn, registering at 400. This decline in air quality is attributed to a decrease in temperature and a reduction in wind speed. Consequently, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has reinforced restrictions under GRAP III.

“The AQI was in the ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’ categories in Delhi over the last few days. However, the air quality in Delhi has deteriorated to the ‘severe’ category with AQI plunging to 400 following a dip in temperature and the reduction in wind speed. Due to this, the CAQM has implemented restrictions under GRAP III once again.”

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An AQI between zero and 50 is considered ‘good,’ while levels above 450 are labelled ‘severe-plus.’ In response to the escalating pollution levels, the Centre has banned non-essential construction work and the operation of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in Delhi-NCR.

Unfavourable meteorological conditions, including fog and haze coupled with low wind speed, have been identified as the primary contributors to the sudden spike in the AQI.

Under GRAP Stage-III, restrictions also include a ban on stone crushing and mining in Delhi-NCR.

With a relative humidity at 97 per cent at 8:30 am on Saturday, the situation underscores the urgency of addressing the air quality crisis in the region. The minimum temperature has been stated to have been slightly above the seasonal average at 9.3 degrees Celsius.