Delhi’s air quality remains ‘severe’ for the fourth consecutive day, with the national capital recording an AQI of 436 at 2pm on Saturday. An AQI score ranging between 400 and 500 is considered severe and it is said to cause serious health issues with existing diseases.
The Delhi government imposed stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) restrictions on Friday considering the deteriorating air quality in the national capital. As per GRAP III regulations, the government restricted the use of private BS III petrol and BS IV diesel vehicles, prohibited the entry of interstate non-electric CNG buses, certain categories of construction activities and staggered government office timings as the city choked, PTI reported.
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said instructions have been given to spray water intensively throughout Delhi. As part of measures to improve the air quality, Rai on Friday said 106 shuttle buses will be operated and the Delhi metro will run 60 additional services. The minister said only necessary government construction works will be permitted. Rai added shuttle buses will be operated for the transportation of government officials, to discourage the use of private vehicles by them.
Rai said special teams have been deployed by the transport department to monitor adherence of GRAP III regulations and added violators will face a penalty of Rs 20,000.
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As per the Central Pollution Control Board, 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", and 401 and 500 "severe".
Meanwhile, air quality in Haryana’s Jind also remains ‘severe’ and AQI was 410 here. Stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana is often considered the main reason for pollution in the national capital.
The Supreme Court recently came down heavily on the Delhi government and the Delhi police for poor implementation of firecracker ban during Diwali. The apex court directed Delhi police to form a special cell to impose the ban. It also advised the Delhi government to consider imposing a perpetual ban on firecrackers in the national capital.