Delhi’s Environment Minister, Gopal Rai, anticipates a forthcoming improvement in the city’s air quality within the next two to three days. Despite this projection, the Delhi government plans to persist with certain vehicle bans under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) stage three regulations. Rai highlighted modifications in GRAP stage four restrictions, including the prohibition of BS 3 petrol and BS 4 diesel vehicles with an All India Permit (AIP).
“Under GRAP III, BS 3 petrol and BS 4 diesel vehicles are still banned… Scientists are indicating an improvement in air quality in the next 2-3 days. Considering the current conditions, GRAP III regulations will remain in force in Delhi,” Rai informed PTI. He emphasized that if Delhi’s air quality deteriorates in the future, invoking GRAP IV would lead to a ban on such vehicles entering the national capital.
As per data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi and its neighboring National Capital Region (NCR) persisted in the ‘very poor’ category for a sixth consecutive day, with a 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) reaching 389. Specific areas registered higher pollution levels: Anand Vihar at 387 (very poor), ITO at 343 (very poor), Wazirpur at 422 (severe), and RK Puram at 415 (severe).
It’s important to note the AQI scale: from zero to 50 is considered good, 51-100 satisfactory, 101-200 moderate, 201-300 poor, 301-400 very poor, and 401-500 severe.
Additionally, Delhi experienced the season’s lowest minimum temperature on Thursday, recording 9.2 degrees Celsius – two notches below the seasonal average. This followed a minimum temperature of 10.6 degrees Celsius recorded on Wednesday.
Sources By Agencies