GRAP-2 curbs imposed in Delhi as AQI hits ‘very poor’ category at 324
Delhi’s air quality slipped to ‘very poor’ for the first time this season, with AQI at 324, the highest in nine months. CAQM invoked GRAP Stage 2, while vehicle checks at borders caused long jams. The High Court refused to stay curbs on non-BS-VI vehicles, and the Supreme Court allowed certified green crackers for two days before Diwali.
Delhi's air quality plunged to the 'very poor' category on Monday for the first time this season, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 324 by 4 pm, its highest level in nine months. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) activated Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR, while intensified border checks enforced vehicle restrictions, causing long traffic queues.
The AQI was the highest since February 4, when it stood at 339. Pollution levels had surged over the previous two days, from 117 in the 'moderate' category on October 31 to 261 in the 'poor' category on November 1, before entering the 'very poor' category on Monday. Three monitoring stations reported 'severe' pollution, with Jahangirpuri recording the worst AQI at 436.
Of Delhi's 58 monitoring stations, 37 reported 'very poor' air quality, 17 were in the 'poor' category, and one recorded 'moderate' air quality. Fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, remained the dominant pollutant. GRAP Stage 2 was invoked due to unfavorable meteorological conditions, and the AQI was expected to remain in the 'very poor' category until November 5.
Transport contributed 19.2% to the pollution, industries 4.2%, residential activities 4.9%, and stubble burning 8.4%. Border checks led to long traffic queues on roads connecting Delhi with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
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