Air quality slips to 'very poor' category

New Delhi: Data by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on Wednesday revealed that the air quality of Delhi fell to "very poor" for the first time this season. The pollution board also said that the condition is likely to remain very poor for the next two days and might see an increase as well. The data showed Delhi reached the "very poor" category with places like Dwarka sector ‑ 8 (359), Anand Vihar (342), DTU (329), Ashok Nagar (328), Siri Fort (329) among others witnessing the Air Quality Index (AQI) slipping from Tuesday.

Even though the Delhi government's pollution control measures started from Tuesday, the air condition just deterioated, with reports suggesting that heavy dust was observed in various areas, while construction work in many places is still going on. The measures under "very poor" and "severe" categories of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) started from Tuesday, which includes guidelines to be followed when air quality deteriorates.

Earlier, diesel generator has been banned in Delhi under the plan, but this is the first time there will be a ban in NCR as well. The ban will have exemption only for emergency services. The plan also includes a ban on the use of diesel generator sets, increase in parking fees and more services of buses and metro.