As ‘very poor’ AQI continues to blanket the nation’s capital, the commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) said some measures that are part of stage 4 Graded Response Action Plan ( GRAP) will be incorporated under GRAP 3. Under this, the central government may take decisions on allowing work from home facilities for employees in central government offices, and NCR state governments/ GNCTD can take decisions on permitting publ;ic, municipal, and private offices to work on 50% strength and work from home facilities.
Delhi recorded an overall AQI of 360 and the situation is likely to get worse in the coming days as per the reports. The AQI can slip to as low as in the “severe” zone and can remain in the “very poor to severe” zone for coming days.
By 10 a.m., Delhi’s 24-hour rolling average AQI stood at 361 — still in the “very poor” range and close to entering the “severe” category. This was just slightly below the 24-hour average of 364 recorded on Friday evening.
With GRAP 3 still in effect in Delhi—banning non-essential construction, demolition work, and certain vehicles such as those below the Bharat Stage (BS)-IV emission norms—residents have been urged to limit outdoor activities, particularly during early mornings and late evenings.
Records of Capital’s AQI Today
The ITO area of nations’ capital records an AQI of 370 in the ‘very poor category,’ Noida continues to have recorded the AQI in ‘severe’ category, and sector 125 reading an AQI of 434. The knowledge park 5 recorded 393 AQI and the knowledge park 3 recorded 294 AQI , slipping in the ‘poor’ category.
Given the deteriorating air quality in the national capital, the Delhi High Court previously directed that all outdoor sports activities be cancelled, following complaints from schoolchildren that the hazardous winter pollution was damaging to their lungs and overall health.
