Delhi AQI: Air quality at ‘very poor’ 382, Centre imposes GRAP Stage II today

Delhi AQI: The air quality index (AQI) in national capital Delhi was recorded at an “unhealthy” 214 as of 6.47 am on October 22, 2024, data from aqi.in showed. Further, in Anand Vihar area of the capital, a layer of smog has engulfed the locality, with AQI at a “very poor” 382, according to the CPCB.
It added that the real-time PM2.5 concentration in the city is 10.5 times above the recommended limit given by the WHO’s 24 hours air quality guidelines value.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the 24-hour average AQI in Delhi was recorded at 310 at 4 pm on October 21 (Monday) and of the city’s 36 monitoring stations, 26 were recorded to be in the red zone. Red zone implies AQI in “very poor” category, as per the data.
The major factors contributing to poor air quality in the national capital is dust pollution, high level of transportation, and stubble burning.
Emissions from transportation account for approximately 10.9 per cent of Delhi’s air pollution, according to the Centre’s Decision Support System for Air Quality Management.
Meanwhile, other contributing factors include farm fires, with 65 reported in Punjab, two in Haryana and 25 in Uttar Pradesh, according to satellite data on October 21.
On October 21, the city recorded “very poor” quality air, with the AQI reaching 310 and prompting the enforcement of the second stage of the city’s Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP Stage II), as per a PTI report.
GRAP Stage II will be imposed starting today (October 22) in the national capital. It bans the use of coal and firewood, including in tandoors at hotels, restaurants, and open eateries, as well as diesel generator sets (except for emergency and essential services), it said.
GRAP is a set of anti-air pollution measures followed in the Delhi and surrounding areas based on the severity of air quality levels.
The GRAP classifies the air quality in the Delhi-NCR under four different stages: Stage I – ‘Poor’ (AQI 201-300); Stage II – ‘Very Poor’ (AQI 301-400); Stage III – ‘Severe’ (AQI 401-450); and Stage IV – ‘Severe Plus’ (AQI>450).
As per the CPCB, an AQI between zero and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 and 200 ‘moderate’, 201 and 300 ‘poor’, 301 and 400 ‘very poor’, and 401 and 500 ‘severe’.
(With inputs from PTI)