Delhi AQI Touches 500-Mark, Trains And Flights Delayed; Schools, DU Colleges Go Online – News18

Last Updated:November 19, 2024, 10:23 IST

The Delhi AQI spiked to season’s highest on Tuesday morning as most of the air monitoring systems reported air quality index at 500.

A dense fog engulfed Delhi on Tuesday morning as the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) soared to 494, the season’s highest, prompting the schools and Delhi University colleges to go for online mode.

The overall AQI remained in the ‘Severe Plus’ category as most of the air monitoring systems in the national capital and surrounding areas reached “alarmingly high” levels, touching the 500 mark.

The air quality index (AQI) of Delhi’s Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, Bawana, Jahangirpuri, Major Dhyan Chand Stadium and several other places was recorded at 500 at 5 am on Tuesday, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 and 200 ‘moderate’, 201 and 300 ‘poor’, 301 and 400 ‘very poor’, 401 and 500 ‘severe’ and above 500 ‘severe plus’.

In view of the deteriorating air quality, schools have been either suspended or shifted to online in the National Capital Region as well.

Haryana’s Gurugram has suspended all classes up to Grade 12 from November 19 to November 23, or until further notice. In Ghaziabad, where the AQI reached 450, schools have been instructed to shift to online learning. Similarly, the district administration in Gautam Buddh Nagar has ordered schools to halt all in-person classes.

Centre Issues Advisory

The Union health secretary issued an updated advisory to states and union territories regarding air pollution on Monday, directing them to strengthen existing health systems and raise awareness among vulnerable groups and at-risk occupations.

The advisory suggests developing detailed action plans at the district and city levels to address climate change’s health impacts, including strategies to combat air pollution.

GRAP-IV Curbs Imposed

The latest readings come amid the enforcement of stringent anti-pollution measures in the national capital under Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

These measures stipulate that no trucks will be permitted to enter Delhi unless they are carrying essential goods or using clean fuel, such as LNG, CNG, BS-VI diesel, or electric power.

All construction activities, including highways, roads, flyovers, power lines, pipelines, and other public projects, have been suspended.

As strict norms are in place, the government in the national capital could also implement odd-even vehicle rules, a traffic management system where vehicles are allowed on the roads based on the last digit of their registration number.