Delhi struggles against 'severe' air pollution: AQI readings, other important things to know

At 5 pm on Friday, November 15, air quality in several regions was recorded to be at 'severe' levels in the national capital. These included Jaangirpuri (460), Wazirpur (449), Rohini (445), Anand Vihar (445), NArela (439), Ashok Vihar (434), Punjabi Bagh (428), Alipur (425), DTU (410), Dwarka Sector 8 (410) and Nehru Nagar (407), according information available on the CPCB portal.

At the same time, 'very poor' AQI levels were recorded in several areas, including RK Puram (399), IGI Airport (391), Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium (390), Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (351), Lodhi Road (333), Chandni Chowk (329), Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range (383), ITO (322), and Sonia Vihar (386). 

At the same hour, the AQI stood at 259 in Sri Aurobindo Marg. 

 

Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), Dilshad Garden: 360

Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), Mathura: 333

Mandir Marg: 381

 

 

NSIT Dwarka: 383

Okhla Phase II: 388

At the same time, AQI was recorded at 288 in Sector 125 (poor), 307 in Sector 1 (very poor), 364 in Sector 62 (very poor) and 290 in Sector 116 in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. 

AQI was at 348 in NISE Gwal Pahari (very poor), 282 in Sector 51 (poor), 283 in Teri Gram (poor) and 270 in Vikas Sadan (poor) in Gurugram, Haryana. 

In Faridabad, Haryana, AQI stood at 325 in New Industrial Town (very poor), 268 in Sector 11 (poor), 227 in Sector 30 (poor) and 296 in Sector 16A (poor). 

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), which devises plans to tackle air pollution in the NCR and surrounding areas, has imposed GRAP 3 measures, as the overall quality of air remained in the "severe" category in the city. Here are some of the key points to keep in mind: 

 

Ban on BS III diesel and petrol vehicles

Essential supplies and ambulances exempted

Diesel buses cannot enter the national capital from neighboring states

BS VI buses, EVs, CNG vehicles exempted

84 teams to monitor compliance

Violation to attract Rs 20,000 penalty

Ban on construction and demolition activities

Government construction projects to continue

The CAQM has issued a list of dos and don'ts for the public. 

Here are the dos:

Choose a cleaner commute

Share a ride to work or use public transport

Combine errands and reduce trips

Walk or use cycles for small distances

Individual house owners may provide electric heaters to security, other staff to avoid open burning of biomass, wood or municipal solid waste

The CAQM has advised the public not to use coal and wood for heating purposes.