AQI in Delhi is close to 300, 15 areas are in red zone; GRAP-2 restrictions will be implemented soon

The pollution level increased significantly on Thursday. This was the most polluted day of the season. The AQI has increased to very bad. According to the forecast, the pollution situation may worsen on October 20. In such a situation, GRAP-2 is also likely to be imposed soon. Under GRAP-2, restrictions like ban on diesel generators are imposed.

Delhi’s AQI crosses 250

According to the air bulletin of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s AQI was 285. Faridabad’s was 148, Ghaziabad’s was 252, Greater Noida’s was 248, Gurugram’s was 178 and Noida’s was 242. Pollution levels were extremely poor at 11 places. Among these, Vivek Vihar’s AQI was 332, Shadipur’s was 338, Punjabi Bagh’s was 321, Patparganj’s was 352, Narela’s was 315, Mundka’s was 383, Jahangirpuri’s was 352, Dwarka Sector-8’s was 316, Burari Crossing’s was 336, Bawana’s was 314 and Ashok Vihar’s was 305.

Pollution may increase these days

According to the forecast, the pollution level will be bad on October 18 and 19. After this, the pollution level will be very bad on October 20. The pollution level may remain from very bad to bad for the next six days. The weather is deteriorating at this time and is not helping in flushing out the pollutants. In such a situation, incidents of stubble and garbage fire can make the situation worse. On October 17, the wind speed was 8 to 4 kilometers per hour. After this, on October 18, it can be 4 to 10 kilometers per hour, on October 19 it can be 6 to 10 kilometers per hour and on October 20 it can be 6 to 8 kilometers per hour.

What restrictions can be imposed in Grape 2?

▪️Parking fees will be increased to reduce the use of private vehicles

▪️CNG-electric buses and metro services will be increased

▪️RWAs will provide heaters to their security guards so that they do not burn garbage, wood or coal for warmth

▪️Diesel generators will be banned

▪️Generators running on natural gas, biogas, LPG will be allowed to run

▪️Generators with capacity of more than 800kwa will be allowed to run only if they get retrofitting done

Diesel generators will be allowed to run for emergency use. Emergency use includes elevators, escalators, travelators, medical services such as hospitals, nursing homes, health care, railway services, railway stations, metros, MRTS services, airports, ISBTs, sewage treatment plants, water pumping stations, projects related to national security, data and IT services.

What is the Citizen Charter for people

▪️People should use public transport more and use private vehicles less

▪️Use technology to avoid traffic jams

▪️Replace the air filters of vehicles from time to time

▪️Do not carry out dust producing activities like construction etc. during October to January

▪️Do not burn things like garbage or wood