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Delhi Air Quality Deteriorates to Severe Plus; Flight Operations Disrupted

The city of Delhi had to put its emergency anti-pollution measures into stage 4 as the air quality reached dangerously high levels. Monday’s air quality index was 485 at nine in the morning, which is considered a “severe plus” grade with serious health implications.

As the national capital’s AQI reached 457 on Sunday night, emergency measures were declared. According to the Centre for Air Quality Management (CAQM), the new measures include closing schools, banning diesel trucks in Delhi, and encouraging remote work.

“Great” signifies an AQI of 0 to 50, “satisfactory” signifies 51 to 100, “moderate” signifies 101 to 200, “poor” signifies 201 to 300, “extremely poor” signifies 301 to 400, “serious” signifies 401 to 450, and “serious in addition to” signifies more than 450.

Delhi pollution: Key restrictions under GRAP-4

In response to the breaking down air quality, the CAQM put into impact a severe eight-point activity plan intended to prevent the contamination from deteriorating and defend the general’s well-being. The limitations are expected to remain essentially until the air quality improves and will be executed all through the National Capital Region (NCR).
Truck Entry Ban: Non-necessary trucks would not be allowed to enter Delhi at all. The only exclusions will be for trucks transporting necessities, critical services, or vehicles powered by BS-VI diesel engines, LNG, CNG, or electricity.

Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) Restrictions: Unless they are electric, CNG, or BS-VI diesel vehicles, LCVs registered outside of Delhi will also not be allowed to enter the capital, with exceptions made for those providing critical services.

Diesel Vehicle Ban: Delhi-registered BS-IV and below diesel-powered medium and heavy goods vehicles (MGVs and HGVs) would be strictly prohibited. Only cars that deliver necessary services or transport necessary items are exempt.

Prohibition on Construction Activities: All construction and demolition (C&D) operations will be halted, including those related to public infrastructure projects such as flyovers, highways, roads, and electricity transmission lines. Linear public projects like pipelines and telecommunications work are also prohibited.

Schools: As the city strangled under dangerously elevated degrees of pollution for the 6th day straight, Delhi Boss Pastor Atishi requested that all in-person illustrations be dropped, except for those in grades 10 and 12.

Work Restrictions in Government and Private Offices: All government, municipal, and private offices must run at 50% capacity, with the remaining employees working from home. The federal government will decide whether to allow its staff to work from home.

Potential Extra Measures: Since the situation is still dire, the governments of the NCR states and Delhi might think about taking further emergency measures. These might include allowing cars on an odd-even basis and closing educational institutions, colleges, and non-essential industries.

Delhi’s pollution woes

Over the last week, the nature of the air in north India has drastically declined; on Monday morning, the AQI in New Delhi was 481. An AQI perusing of more than 500 was seen in several Delhi locations. A government statement attributes this drop in air quality to unfavorable meteorological conditions.

According to SAFAR, a weather forecasting organization under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, stubble burning—the practice of burning leftover rice straw to clear fields—has been responsible for about 38% of New Delhi’s pollution this year, mostly from the nearby states of Punjab and Haryana.

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Since chilly air retains dust, pollutants, and emissions from illicit agricultural fires, New Delhi experiences severe smog every winter. Smog is a dangerous blend of smoke and fog. The Indian meteorological department predicted haze conditions and low wind speeds until Saturday. Officials attributed the smog to excessive pollution, humidity, calm breezes, and declining temperatures.