Air pollution

In consideration of the weather conditions of Delhi, the Supreme Court permitted the relaxation of GRAP Stage IV restrictions in Delhi NCR to GRAP Stage II, while the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) revoked Stages IV and III of GRAP in the region. The air quality of the National Capital remains in the “poor” category on Friday, as a thin layer of smog was seen reducing visibility in parts of the city. According to the Indian Meteorological Department, the temperature dropped to 6 degree celsius on Friday with a thin layer of fog covering several parts of Delhi. As per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, the air quality level measured at 7 am in Delhi was 277. Alipur recorded an AQI of 280, Ashok Nagar recorded 296, IGI Airport (T3) recorded 281, ITO recorded 280, and DTU recorded 228. While some areas fall into the ‘very poor’ category, as areas like Anand Vihar reported an AQI of 309, Dwarka Sector 8 recorded 315, 334 in Nehru Nagar, 329 in Rohini, and 309 in Pusa, and Mundka recorded 307. For context, an AQI between 0 and 50 is considered in the good category, 51 to 100 in the satisfactory category, 101 to 200 is moderate, 201 to 300 is considered as poor, while 301 to 400 is marked in the very poor category, and 401 to 500 come in the severe category. Night shelters have been deployed in several parts of the national capital including Jama Masjid and Nizamuddin flyover.However, cold wave conditions predictions are made for the isolated places in Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh from 12 December to 16 December. Delhi will experience cold waves from December 12 to December 13, and the Jammu Kashmir region is expected to face cold waves from December 13 to December 16. In consideration of the weather conditions of Delhi, the Supreme Court permitted the relaxation of GRAP Stage IV restrictions in Delhi NCR to GRAP Stage II, while the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) revoked Stages IV and III of GRAP in the region. However, GRAP Stages II and I will continue to remain in force across the entire NCR.