Delhi AQI breaches 500-mark, AAP govt says next 15 days 'crucial'

The Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government has called for citizens to rely on public transport and called the next 15 days 'crucial' as the capital city battles worsening air quality. Further, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai has said that GRAP IV will only be implemented if the situation in Delhi worsens.

"Public awareness campaign, including jingles, will be pushed to encourage use of public transport," Rai said in a briefing on Friday.

Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) categorises actions into four stages: Stage I - 'Poor' (AQI 201-300); Stage II - 'Very Poor' (AQI 301-400); Stage III - 'Severe' (AQI 401-450); and Stage IV - 'Severe Plus' (AQI >450).


Currently, the Commission has invoked stage III of the GRAP to prevent further deterioration of air quality in the region.

The Minister also briefed on the steps the government plans on taking.

"Directions have been given to increase the working hours of vacuum cleaners currently operational in Delhi. There are 52 MRS machines of the MCD operating on Delhi roads at present. They will now be working 12 hours, instead of 8 hours. Similarly, 345 water sprinklers will also work for 12 hours so that more areas can be covered by them. Mobile anti-smog guns will also be used at (pollution) hotspots and other areas," Rai said.

Moreover, he informed that BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel LMVs (four wheelers) will be restricted from entering Delhi or operating inside the city.


He also highlighted the need for all state governments to work together in order to control rising pollution levels.

"Not only Delhi, situation same across north India. All govts need to work together," he said.

"BJP blaming Arvind Kejriwal for air pollution in Delhi, but he's not responsible for poor air quality in UP, Haryana," Rai lashed out on opposition.

The Environment Minister stated that the Delhi government, led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, is making intensive efforts to reduce pollution. This comes in response to the 'severe' air quality recorded in various parts of the national capital, with Mundka having the highest Air Quality Index (498). According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), AQI levels were as follows: 438 in the Lodhi Road area, 491 in Jahangirpuri, 486 in the RK Puram area, and 473 at IGI Airport (T3).

In Delhi, levels of PM2.5 pollutants -- cancer-causing microparticles that enter the bloodstream through the lungs -- often hit more than 30 times World Health Organization danger limits. On Friday, schools were shut across the city as a noxious grey smog engulfed it, making life a misery for its 30 million inhabitants.

"The decision on the further closure of schools in Delhi will be taken on the basis of air quality on 6th November, Monday," Rai said.

Last month, Delhi opened the pollution coordination hub connecting 28 government departments -- complete with "Green War Room" sign -- to zoom in on exact emission sites.

"As soon as the AQI worsens, we alert our teams on the ground and they take action immediately," said the war room's environmental engineer Anurag Pawar.

(With agency inputs)