The Commission for Air Quality Management on Monday revoked the Stage 2 curbs under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) following a dip in pollution levels due to favourable meteorological conditions.
Delhi's 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) stood at 186 at 4 pm, significantly below the 300-mark that triggers Stage 2 restrictions. According to the India Meteorological Department and Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology predict, the Capital's AQI will likely remain in the moderate to poor category.
As part of the revocation of the Stage 2 curbs, there will be no ban on the use of coal and firewood in Delhi-NCR, including the use of tandoors at restaurants and hotels. Diesel generators sets are also allowed to be used.
All construction and demolition sites and industrial units will also be permitted to resume operations. Besides, inter-state buses from NCR states are now permitted to enter Delhi.
Measures such as mechanised sweeping of roads, use of anti-smog guns, and sprinkling water daily will be undertaken to tackle dust with focused attention on identified air pollution hotspots.
Power suppliers need to ensure uninterrupted supply so that the use of diesel generator sets can be minimised.
During winters, the Delhi-NCR region enforces restrictions under GRAP, which categorizes air quality into four 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 above 450).
Unfavourable meteorological conditions, combined with vehicle emissions, paddy-straw burning, firecrackers, and other local pollution sources, lead to hazardous air quality levels in Delhi-NCR during winters.
'Green' Crackers Failed. Delhi Suffers Worst Post-Diwali Air In 5 Years
Reported by Shreya GhoshHealth Experts Warn Of Respiratory Risks Amid Worsening Post- Diwali Air Quality In Delhi
Asian News InternationalAAP Mocks Rekha Gupta Over Delhi Pollution, BJP Blames Citizens, Farm Fires
Edited by Manjiri ChitreDespite a 77.5 per cent drop in stubble burning, i.e., agricultural waste - normally a significant reason for air pollution in Delhi during the winter - AQI in the national capital plummeted to a five-year post-Diwali low Tuesday morning.
Nutritionist Lovneet Batra has shared a simple Ayurvedic drink on Instagram that, she says, may help soothe the respiratory tract and protect the lungs from pollution damage.
The festive season, coupled with seasonal weather changes and increased stubble burning in neighbouring states, has exacerbated pollution levels, prompting calls for preventive measures.
As Delhi's air quality drops again, these 11 hill stations offer clean air, calm views and mountain peace after Diwali.
AAP MLA Gopal Rai accused the Delhi government of "making excuses" and not taking action to prevent the pollution.
................................ Advertisement ................................
Opinion | Why Indians Have Just Given Up On Air Pollution CrisisTanushree Ganguly
Friday December 20, 2024While some may argue that people in Delhi are now more aware of air pollution than they were a decade back, my rebuttal would be that awareness does not mean that people are concerned.
Opinion | You Must Outrage Over Filthy Air More Than Once A YearJyoti Pande Lavakare
Tuesday December 10, 2024Delhi welcomed us with monsoon rains and mangos. We were home. Fast forward a couple of years, in the winter of 2012, I found myself in denial about something other parents, mostly expats, were calling toxic air.
Opinion | Delhi's Air Pollution Situation Is Like A Bad MarriageNishtha Gautam
Friday November 22, 2024On a good day, such as today, the AQI reading in Delhi is 407. We are jubilant at the sickly sunshine trickling through the slightly dissipated smog. At least its not 1600.
दिवाली... पराली... सियासी जुगाली!Ashwini kumar
Monday November 18, 2024दिल्ली-एनसीआर में प्रदूषण का समाधान तो आज तक मिला नहीं. हर साल चिंतित होकर हम-आप सांसों की तकलीफ के साथ-साथ दिल और ब्लड प्रेशर के मरीज भी क्यों बनें?
घर में कैद बुजुर्ग और हांफते लोग, दिल्ली की सांसों में घुला ये कैसा रोग?Nidhi Kulpati
Friday November 08, 2024हमारी हवा जहरीली हो रही है. गुरुवार की शाम को जब मैं इस मुद्दे पर लिखने बैठी तो AQI लगातार 400 पार जाकर दम घोंट रहा था. बहुत लोगों को यह मामला बोरिंग लगे, लेकिन जब आप अपने साथ काम करने वालों को खांसते-हांफते देखते-सुनते हैं, तो चिंता होने लगती है. सुबह उठते ही दरवाजे खिड़कियां खोलने के लिए डॉक्टर मना कर रहे हैं. बड़े बुजुर्गों के लिए तो मॉर्निंग वॉक बाहर की दुनिया से सीधे संपर्क का ज़रिया है, लेकिन डॉक्टर इसकी भी मनाही कर रहे हैं.