Air quality remains severe in New Delhi for the third consecutive day

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) announced that the Air Quality Index (AQI) in New Delhi reached 409 on Friday, marking the third day in a row that the city’s air quality was bad. Smog continued to engulf the city, impairing sight and interfering with aircraft and traffic operations.

Four of Delhi’s 39 monitoring sites were categorized as “severe plus,” and 21 of them recorded severe AQI readings. With AQI readings of 458, 455, 455, and 452, respectively, Jahangirpuri, Bawana, Wazirpur, and Rohini had the worst pollution. In contrast to Thursday’s AQI of 432, the 24-hour overall air quality showed a small improvement.

Strict anti-pollution measures under Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) went into effect on Friday after the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) issued an order as the city suffocated under extreme air pollution for the third consecutive day.

Due to the increasing pollution, the Delhi government has declared that courses for pupils up to Grade V will be conducted online starting on Friday and continuing till further notice.

All interstate buses from NCR states are forbidden from entering Delhi under Stage 3 of GRAP, with the exception of electric, CNG, and BS-VI diesel vehicles. A prohibition on building and demolition, a halt to mining-related activities, daily watering of important highways, and the exploration of online education for younger pupils are all among the measures.

The transportation of BS-III gasoline and BS-IV diesel cars will also be restricted in Delhi and the neighboring districts of Gautam Budh Nagar, Gurugram, Faridabad, and Ghaziabad.

After 14 days of’very poor’ air quality, the city’s air quality fell into the severe category on Wednesday. The pollution levels in Delhi and the surrounding areas have been made worse by agricultural fires, vehicle emissions, and unfavorable meteorological conditions, such as low wind speeds.