Centre Holds Off Strict Restrictions…
New Delhi: On Wednesday, The National Capital’s average air quality index (AQI) reached 400, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
The air quality index from 0 to 100 is considered 'good', 100 to 200 'moderate', 200 to 300 'poor', 300 to 400 'very poor', and from 400 to 500 or above 'severe'.
With the very poor air quality, the Centre decided to watch the situation for a few days before taking stricter curbs under Stage 3 of the Centre's air pollution control plan called the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR, as forecasts suggested that the situation may improve in a day or more.
"On Thursday, the sub-committee of the Commission for Air Quality Management for the operationalization of GRAP met and took stock of the current air quality scenario and forecast of meteorological conditions, as well as the projected air quality index by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM)," an official statement said.
While comprehensively reviewing the air quality scenario and relevant aspects, the sub-committee noted that as per the air quality forecasts by IMD and IITM, Delhi's average AQI may improve soon.
Therefore, it was decided by the subcommittee unanimously to watch the situation for a day or more before considering invoking Stage III of GRAP.
Edited By: Arusha Farooq
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