Delhi implements GRAP-II as air quality enters very poor category
The Commission for Air Quality Management has activated stage two pollution curbs following a sharp rise in the city's Air Quality Index.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) implemented GRAP Stage II across Delhi-NCR on Monday as the capital's air quality worsened. According to Moneycontrol, the authority moved to these stricter measures after the Air Quality Index (AQI) rose from 117 on October 31 to 261 on November 1, reaching 324 on Monday.
The deterioration was attributed to unfavourable meteorological conditions. Real-time data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed the AQI had already crossed the 300 mark at 7.05 am on Monday, entering the very poor category earlier than the Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS) had predicted.
Outlook reported that Jahangirpuri recorded the highest pollution level at an AQI of 417, which falls into the severe category. Other areas with high readings included Punjabi Bagh at 398 and Rohini at 397. On Sunday, the city's 24-hour average AQI was 261, which was the highest since April 17.
The Decision Support System (DSS) indicated that stubble burning contributed 18.5 per cent to pollution on Sunday, while transport emissions accounted for 16.4 per cent. Existing winter pollution-control measures, which began on November 1, include restrictions on non-BS-VI petrol and diesel vehicles registered outside Delhi.
Electric and CNG vehicles, as well as BS-VI-compliant vehicles, are exempt from these entry restrictions. The Delhi Environment and Transport Departments, alongside the traffic police, are jointly enforcing the pollution control measures.