NEW DELHI: According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the air quality in a number of Delhi neighbourhoods fell into the “severe” category on Friday morning, with Mundka having the highest Air Quality Index (498). The national capital’s skyline was shrouded in a thick cloud as the air quality declined. The AQI was reported at 438 in the Lodhi Road area, 491 in Jahangirpuri, 486 in the RK Puram region, and 473 in IGI Airport (T3), according to the CPCB. The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a technique for effectively and understandably communicating to the public the state of the air quality. It reduces complex data on the quality of the air caused by different pollutants to a single number (the index value), colour, and nomenclature.When the AQI is between 0 and 100, it is considered good; when it is between 100 and 200, it is considered moderate; when it is between 200 and 300, it is considered poor; when it is between 300 and 400, it is said to be very poor; and when it is between 400 and 500 or more, it is said to be severe; this has an influence on both healthy people and those who already have disorders. Additionally, the AQI dropped to the “severe” category at several different Noida locales, with Sectors 62, 1 and 116 recording 483, 413 and 415, respectively. On Thursday, the government of Delhi issued an order closing all public and private elementary schools for the next two days. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) activated the third phase of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on Thursday due to the deteriorating quality of the air. When the AQI falls between 401 and 450 points and reaches Severe, the GRAP moves into Stage III. The state government may impose severe limitations on BS III petrol and BS IV diesel four-wheelers in specific locations as part of its reaction to combat pollution. It may also stop in-person instruction for students in primary grades up to Class 5. Since then, primary school lessons have been suspended by the Delhi government.The subcommittee examined the regional air quality scenario in addition to the IMD and IITM projections for the weather and air quality index. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) released an official statement stating that the Delhi government has prohibited construction work throughout the National Capital Region (NCR). The announcement went on to say that exceptions had been granted for projects pertaining to interstate bus terminals, airports, metro services, railway services, defense-related operations, healthcare-related activities, etc.The official statement also stated that the government will guarantee daily watering and dust suppressant application, as well as increase the frequency of automated road sweeping. Drilling and boring as well as other earthmoving operations related to excavation and filling will not be permitted. According to the official announcement, mining, stone crushing, and non-essential construction work have all been banned in the area.
