EPCA to monitor Delhi’s AQI for 48 hours

NEW DELHI: The air quality of Delhi slipped into ‘severe’ category on December 10, 2018 as heavy stagnant air prevented dispersion of pollutants. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded an overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of 412, which falls in the ‘severe’ category.

Bhure Lal, Chairman, Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority said that they are monitoring the situation. He said that stringent action, as prescribed under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), will be implemented if severe conditions persist for 48 hours.

Neighbouring cities including Ghaziabad, Noida and Faridabad recorded ‘severe’ AQI as well. CPCB data showed that Noida’s air quality was the worst with an AQI of 452. CPCB stated that nineteen areas in Delhi recorded‘severe’ AQI and 10 areas recorded ‘very poor’ air quality.

Stringent action includes emergency measures like odd-even car rationing scheme. A ban on construction activities will be automatically enforced in the city if the PM 2.5 level breaches 300 microgram per cubic metre and PM 10 level stays above 500 micrograms per cubic metre for two consecutive days.

The Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting (SAFAR) said that the overall air quality in Delhi will deteriorate furtherover the next two days.

It said, “The values are likely to remain in the same range until December 11, which is likely to decline by December 12. Calm surface winds are not allowing pollutants to disperse.”