GRAP-III fails to bring relief as Delhi-NCR air quality continues to deteriorate

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): People in the capital Delhi do not seem to be getting relief from pollution. Even today, the air of Delhi remained very polluted early in the morning. A layer of thick smoke covered many areas of the capital and the AQI in Delhi was recorded at 385, which is in the 'very poor' category. However, despite the poor air quality, people were seen jogging on the duty path. Let us tell you that the AQI in Delhi has been in the very poor category for the last several days. Keeping this in mind, GRAP-3 has also been implemented.

Despite GRAP-III, the situation in Delhi-NCR remains unimproved, with pollution continuing to rise; AQI exceeds 400 in many areas: The air quality across Delhi is very poor. According to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Rajghat and ITO recorded the worst AQI at 417, which puts them in the 'severe' category. Anand Vihar, Alipur and Ashok Vihar also recorded AQI levels between 400-415, which falls in the severe category. The Chandni Chowk area recorded an AQI of 420, while Dwarka recorded an AQI of 378. Similarly, in Dhaula Kuan, vehicles were moving through a thick layer of fog and the area's AQI was recorded at 338.

Not only Delhi, but the air quality in surrounding cities is also poor. In Noida, the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 435, reaching the "severe" category. Similarly, Greater Noida recorded an AQI of 452, Ghaziabad recorded an AQI of 448, and Gurgaon recorded an AQI of 377. Overall, poor air quality is making breathing difficult for residents across Delhi-NCR.

Amid deteriorating air quality in the national capital, the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) III has been implemented across Delhi by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). These measures aim to control emissions through stringent restrictions on construction, vehicular movement and industrial operations. Under GRAP-III, restrictions include a ban on most non-essential construction activities, a ban on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers, suspension of classes for students up to Class 5 and a move to hybrid or online education, a ban on industrial operations relying on non-clean fuels and a ban on non-emergency diesel generator sets.