Delhi Pollution: There has been a slight improvement in the air quality i.e. AQI of Delhi-NCR. Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has fallen below 400, after which the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has withdrawn the restrictions imposed under Group-3. Grape-3 was implemented in the capital when the pollution level had crossed the 400 mark and reached ‘very poor’ condition.

Let us tell you, under Grape-3, many strict rules are implemented to control air quality, which include things like ban on construction work, work from home, operating schools and colleges on hybrid mode. Now that Grape-3 has been removed, these rules have also been relaxed. However, this does not mean that now all kinds of activities are allowed in Delhi. CAQM has clearly said that the restrictions of Grape-1 and Grape-2 are still applicable in Delhi.

When is GRAP-3 implemented?

GRAP system has been implemented to control air quality in Delhi-NCR. Under this, restrictions from Grape-1 to Grape-3 are implemented in a phased manner. It depends on the level of pollution when which GRAP system will be implemented. As far as Grape-3 is concerned, when the pollution level in Delhi-NCR crosses 400, then Grape-3 restrictions are implemented. Group 4 is implemented when AQI crosses 450.

What happens in Grape-3?

• Under Grape-3, BS-3 petrol and BS-4 diesel light motor vehicles are not allowed to enter Delhi.
• There is also a ban on diesel-powered inter-state buses, All India Tourist Permit buses and tempo travelers.
• Under this, works like construction and demolition are also banned.
• Transportation of dusty materials like cement, sand and fly ash is limited.
• 50 percent work from home is implemented in government and private offices.
• Classes are conducted in hybrid mode in schools and colleges.

These restrictions will still be applicable in Delhi

Even though Grape-3 has been lifted in Delhi, it does not mean that people will be allowed to do every kind of activity. The administration has clarified that the air quality of Delhi-NCR is still bad, hence restrictions under Grap-1 and Grap-2 will still be applicable. Let us tell you which things will be banned during this period-

• There will be a complete ban on the use of coal and wood in hotels and restaurants.
• There will be complete strictness on old petrol and diesel vehicles.
• Industrial activities remain limited, many types of industries are kept closed.
• There is a ban on construction works. Collecting construction material in public places is also wrong.
• Thermal power plants running on coal are closed.
• There is a ban on burning garbage in the open, it is a legal offence.

Also read: When pollution increases in Delhi, measures from Grape-1 to Grape-4 are imposed, what does Pakistan do in such a situation?

Delhi’s air has once again become poisonous. The situation is such that even breathing is becoming difficult here. On Saturday (November 8) evening, the average air quality index (AQI) of the capital reached 372, which falls in the poor category. The situation is even worse in many areas of Delhi. AQI was recorded at 417 in Alipore, 408 at ITO, 407 in Nehru Nagar, 403 in Patparganj and 404 in Punjabi Bagh.

According to the data of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) Sameer App, AQI was 361 till 4 pm, which increased to 372 within a few hours. This means that the air quality in many parts of the capital has reached dangerous levels. After these figures, Delhi became the most polluted city in the country.

The situation in the National Capital Region (NCR) is also worrying. AQI has reached 354 in Noida and very poor level in Gurugram also. Data was recorded from 39 monitoring stations of the city through the Central Pollution Control Board Sameer App.

AQI of these areas is beyond 400

This figure has crossed 400 in these areas of Delhi. These include Alipur (417), ITO (408), Punjabi Bagh (404), Nehru Nagar (407), Patparganj (403), Ashok Vihar (402), Sonia Vihar (401), Jahangirpuri (409), Rohini (408), Vivek Vihar (415), Narela (412), Wazirpur (424), Bawana (424), Chandni Chowk (400). And reached the level of Burari crossing (420).

Air Quality Index in Delhi-NCR

In the National Capital Region, 354 cases were recorded in Noida, 336 in Greater Noida and 339 in Ghaziabad. It has reached very dangerous levels in all these areas. Let us tell you, on Friday the air quality index in Delhi was measured at 322.

Due to which the capital came on top among the most polluted cities. According to the Air Quality Early Warning System, the air quality of the city is expected to remain very poor for the next several days. According to CPCB standards, if AQI is between 0 to 50 then it is considered in the category of ‘good’, 51-100 ‘satisfactory’, 101-200 ‘moderate’, 201-300 ‘poor’, 301-400 ‘very poor’ and 401 to 500 ‘severe’.