The BRICS TimesThe Central Pollution Control Board CPCB’s SAMEER app reported air quality was already in the ‘Severe’ category at four monitoring stations with an Air Quality Index level above 400.
Toxic Air Blankets Capital
Tuesday, October 21st, started with extremely toxic air. Monday evening, on Diwali, 34 out of 38 monitoring stations in Delhi registered ‘Red Zone’ pollution levels. This ‘Red Zone’ means ‘Very Poor’ to ‘Severe’ air quality. A thick layer of smog covered Delhi overnight from Monday to Tuesday. The average Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 531. This reading is 1.8 times higher than the national average.
AQI Soars Past 550 in Narela
The Air Quality Index reached 551 in Narela. This crosses the 550 mark. Ashok Nagar also saw the AQI climb to 493. People burst a lot of firecrackers on Diwali evening across Delhi. The situation was not much better in the National Capital Region (NCR). Noida recorded an AQI of 407. Gurugram’s AQI was recorded at 402. The Met Department cited calm wind conditions for the evening smog. Some areas of Delhi might see partly cloudy skies on Tuesday morning.
CPCB Data Shows ‘Severe’ Levels
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)’s ‘SAMEER’ app provided data. Four monitoring stations already reported ‘Severe’ air quality. Their AQI levels were above 400. Dwarka’s AQI was 417. Ashok Vihar recorded 404. Wazirpur showed 423. Anand Vihar’s reading was 404.
AQI Readings on October 21 (6:00 AM)
Delhi Anand Vihar: 352 Burari Crossing: 393 Ashok Vihar: 386 Ayanagar: 349 Bawana: 418 CRRI Mathura Road: 341 Chandni Chowk: 347 NSIT Dwarka: 389 IGI Airport T3: 294 Dilshad Garden: 346 ITO: 345 Jahangirpuri: 404 Lodhi Road: 334 Narela: 354 DU North Campus: 352 Patparganj: 339 RK Puram: 369 Rohini: 367 Siri Fort: 310 Wazirpur: 408 Vivek Vihar: 367
Ghaziabad Indirapuram: 329 Loni: 329 Vasundhara: 351
Noida Sector-125: 326 Sector-1: 322 Sector-116: 340
Gurugram Sector-51: 346 NISE: 357
Graded Response Action Plan Phase 2 Implemented
The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-2) is now in force in Delhi. This responds to rising pollution. Delhi’s air quality was poor even before Diwali. Hence, the government banned diesel generators. Parking fees increased to curb private vehicle use. They also boosted CNG-electric bus and metro services. Generators running on natural gas, bio gas, and LPG are permitted.
38 Locations Record ‘Very Poor’ AQI
About 30 monitoring stations in Delhi reported ‘Very Poor’ AQI. The level was above 300. Data showed 31 of 38 monitoring stations were ‘Very Poor’ at noon. Three stations recorded ‘Severe’ air quality.
Alert for the Next Two Days
Delhi’s air quality may reach the ‘Severe’ category on Tuesday and Wednesday. The AQI scale defines air quality as follows: 0-50 is ‘Good’, 51-100 is ‘Satisfactory’, 101-200 is ‘Moderate’, 201-300 is ‘Poor’, 301-400 is ‘Very Poor’, and 401-500 is ‘Severe’.
Phase Two Restrictions Now Active
Data from the Decision Support System (DSS) provided insights. Transport emissions contributed 15.6 percent to Delhi’s air pollution on Monday. Other factors like industries contributed 23.3 percent. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) had already implemented GRAP Phase 2 restrictions. This applied across Delhi-NCR.
Court Allowed Firecrackers with Conditions
The Supreme Court permitted the sale and use of green firecrackers on October 15. This was allowed under specific conditions in Delhi-NCR. Green crackers were allowed on the day before Diwali. They were also permitted on the festival day. The time slots were from 6 am to 7 am. The evening slot was from 8 pm to 10 pm.
