Water was sprinkled on roads to reduce pollution and smog in Delhi.
Pollution levels in Delhi are at dangerous levels. AQI crossed 500 in many areas of Delhi on Tuesday morning. Delhi recorded an average AQI of 494, the highest this season.
Schools up to class 10 in Delhi-NCR have already gone online. After the Supreme Court's order on Monday, classes 11-12 have been ordered to be conducted online. Also, classes in colleges of DU and JNU will run online for 4 days only.
In view of rising pollution, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has implemented the fourth phase of the revised Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR from November 18. Also, children, elderly, respiratory and heart patients and those suffering from chronic diseases have been advised to stay at home.
3 pictures of pollution…
Tourists visiting the Taj Mahal faced difficulties due to pollution and smog in Agra.
Due to pollution in Delhi, the schedule of 9 trains was changed. 22 trains were also delayed.
People faced difficulty in driving in Gurugram on Tuesday morning due to pollution.
The Supreme Court has made it mandatory for employees to wear masks
The Supreme Court has also made it mandatory for its staff to wear masks. On Monday, the governments of the Delhi-NCR region were instructed to close schools in view of the severity of the pollution. To reduce the AQI level, all necessary controls of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage 3 and Stage 4 should be implemented.
Also notice – GRAP Stage 4 restrictions will not be removed without court permission. Even if the AQI falls below 300.
Over 2,200 old vehicles seized
The Delhi Transport Department seized another 2,234 vehicles between October 1 and November 15, which were very old. These include 260 diesel four-wheelers over 10 years old, 1,156 petrol two-wheelers and 818 petrol three- and four-wheelers over 15 years old. This process will continue till December. Launched online portal for scrapping or sale of impounded vehicles.
More than 2,200 old vehicles confiscated
The Delhi Transport Department seized 2,234 more vehicles between October 1 and November 15, which were too old. The move was taken in view of deteriorating air quality in the capital. These include 260 diesel four-wheelers over 10 years old, 1,156 petrol two-wheelers and 818 petrol three- and four-wheelers over 15 years old. This process will continue till December. Launched online portal for scrapping or sale of impounded vehicles.
GRAP is imposed when AQI crosses 400
To check the level of pollution in the air, it is divided into 4 categories. Scales and steps are fixed for each level. It is called Graded Response Action Plan or GRAP. Under its 4 categories, the government imposes restrictions and issues measures to reduce pollution.
- GRAP-1: Poor (AQI 201-300)
- GRAP-2: Very Poor (AQI 301-400)
- GRAP-3: Severe (AQI 401 to 450)
- GRAP-4: Very severe (AQI more than 450)
What is AQI and why are high levels dangerous?
AQI is a type of thermometer. It works to measure pollution rather than just temperature. Through this scale, the amount of CO (Carbon Dioxide), Ozone, NO2 (Nitrogen Dioxide), PM 2.5 (Particulate Matter) and PM 10 pollutants present in the air are checked and shown in readings ranging from zero to 500.
The higher the amount of pollution in the air, the higher the AQI level and the higher the AQI, the more dangerous the air. Although an AQI between 200 and 300 is also considered bad, the situation is such that it has gone above 300 in many cities in Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. This increasing AQI is not just a number. This is also a sign of danger of upcoming diseases.
Pollution related news from states…
Haryana: Pollution worsens, schools closed in 10 districts; AQI improves due to Grape-4 restrictions
Shade smog due to pollution in Gurugram.
Fog also persists amid growing cold in Haryana. Due to bad weather, schools up to class 5 have been closed in 5 districts of the state. Also, it has been decided to close schools up to class 12 in 5 other districts. Districts where schools up to class 5 have been closed include Rewari, Panipat, Rohtak, Jind and Bhiwani.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
