[Watch] Delhi’s Air Pollution Reaches ‘Severe Plus’ Category, Schools Switch To Online Classes

New Delhi: The air pollution level in the national capital reached the ‘severe plus’ category on Monday, marking it to be the season’s worst. The 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) soared to 481. In such a scenario, stringent anti-pollution measures have come into effect. All schools have switched their classes to the online mode, except for Grades 10 to 12. Stricter restrictions have been imposed on polluting vehicles and activities. For students attending offline classes, the schools mandated face masks and restricted outdoor activities.

The India Meteorological Department has issued an Orange alert due to dense fog. Flight and train operations were disrupted due to fog. Monday is the second consecutive day of ‘severe plus’ air quality in New Delhi.

Most of the 39 monitoring stations in New Delhi recorded air quality in the ‘severe plus’ category (450+). The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 481. Noida experienced ‘very poor’ air quality, with the latest AQI at 384. Faridabad registered in the ‘poor’ category with an AQI of 320. Ghaziabad and Gurugram witnessed ‘severe’ air pollution levels, with AQIs of 400 and 446, respectively.

Due to reduced visibility, flight operations were delayed by at least 30 minutes to an hour at the Delhi airport. The authorities advised passengers to confirm flight schedules with their respective operators. SpiceJet and IndiGo cautioned travelers that the fog could also result in slow-moving traffic and additional delays.

About 30 train services were delayed due to low visibility. A few trains were delayed up to four hours. Some of the affected trains include long-distance services such as the New Delhi-Kochuveli Express, Jammu Sampark Kranti, AP Express, Jammu Rajdhani, and Goa Sampark Kranti, among others.

Strict anti-pollution measures under Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) have been implemented in the National Capital Region (NCR).

According to the regulations, no trucks will be allowed into Delhi except for essential items or using clean fuel (LNG/CNG/BS-VI diesel/electric). Non-essential light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi will also be prohibited, except for electric vehicles and CNG and BS-VI diesel ones.

All construction activities, including highways, roads, flyovers, power lines, pipelines and other public projects, have been suspended.

The central commission also suggested that offices in the NCR work at 50 per cent capacity and implement work from home.

Under the GRAP IV, the governments can also implement odd-even vehicle rules. According to this traffic management system, vehicles are allowed on the roads based on the last digit of their registration number.

SC to hear plea on pollution today

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a plea today (Monday) seeking the enforcement of measures to curb air pollution in New Delhi. The top court agreed to hear the matter urgently. Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih will hear the plea.