Delhi bans entry of trucks, schools go online as AQI reaches ‘severe plus’
Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan was implemented across the National Capital Region with pollution levels deteriorating.
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As air quality in the National Capital Region plummeted to the “severe plus” category, the authorities in Delhi on Sunday announced a ban on trucks entering the national capital and a temporary halt on construction activities for public projects.
Chief Minister Atishi also announced that physical classes would be discontinued for all students, except for Classes 10 and 12. “All schools will hold online classes, until further orders,” she said on social media.
The daily average air quality index, or AQI, stood at 484 at 8 am on Monday, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board. On Sunday, the AQI hit 441 at 4 pm, which further rose to 457 at 7 pm.
An index value between 0 and 50 indicates “good” air quality, between 51 and 100 indicates “satisfactory” air quality and between 101 and 200 indicates “moderate” air quality.
As the index value increases further, air quality deteriorates. A value of 201 and 300 means “poor” air quality while between 301 and 400 indicates “very poor” air.
Between 401 and 450 indicates “severe” air pollution while anything above the 450 threshold is termed “severe plus”. At these levels, healthy people can experience respiratory illnesses from prolonged exposure to air pollution.
In view of the rising AQI levels, the Commission for...
