AQI Delhi Surpasses 400, Schools to Remain Closed
On Thursday, the AQI Delhi crossed the 400-mark, entering the “severe” category. In response, Delhi’s Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced the closure of all primary schools for the next two days.
As part of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Phase-III, the Central Pollution Control Board (CAQM) has imposed restrictions on non-essential construction activities and placed bans on certain categories of vehicles.
The Transportation Department has levied a fine of ₹20,000 on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles. This restriction also extends to areas around Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddh Nagar.
With exceptions for railways, metro, airports, healthcare facilities, defense and national security, cleanliness, water supply, national highways, flyovers, pipelines, and road-related projects, a ban has been imposed on all other construction and demolition activities in the National Capital Region (NCR).
Activities such as painting, polishing, varnishing, loading and unloading construction materials, stone crushing, mining, and related operations will also be restricted.
By Thursday night, the AQI Delhi had risen to 418, up from 364 on Wednesday afternoon.
Based on the “Dynamic Air Quality Early Warning System” provided by IMD/IITM (India Meteorological Department/Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology), GRAP Phase-III should have been implemented at least three days before AQI turned “severe.” It emphasizes the importance of proactively addressing air quality issues. The “Severe” AQI is expected to persist from November 3 to 5.
However, the early warning system by IITM did not predict a “severe” situation for the day. It suggested that the air quality is likely to remain in the “Very Poor” category and will persist as such until November 5. The outlook for the next six days suggests it will range from “Very Poor” to “Severe.”
In a statement, CAQM mentioned, “Unfavorable meteorological conditions, incidents of crop burning, and the sudden increase in pollutants carried by northwesterly winds are the main reasons for the sudden rise in AQI.”
The implementation of GRAP Stage-III, which suggests differential rates for public transportation services and encourages off-peak travel, also saw the introduction of 20 additional metro trips in Delhi from Friday.
As per the Central Pollution Control Board, AQI in the “Severe” category (401-500) can “affect healthy people and seriously impact those with existing diseases.”
Delhi School Closures: Delhi has been experiencing severe air quality in the past few days. In light of this, the Delhi government has decided to close schools for the next two days. Schools up to the 5th grade will remain closed.
Delhi Pollution Today: Due to the worsening pollution in Delhi, both government and private schools have been closed for two days. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal made the announcement through a tweet. Schools up to the 5th grade are affected. On Thursday (November 2), a mysterious haze covered the capital. In response to the pollution, a decision has been made to close schools. Air pollution is considered dangerous, especially for children and the elderly.
