Air quality in the National Capital Region (NCR), including Delhi, deteriorated to 'severe plus or emergency' category on Thursday, 21 December, after a hiatus of 36 days. Central Pollution Control Board asked the Delhi government to be ready to implement odd-even scheme for private vehicles, as pollution has touched 'emergency' level again, reported PTI.
Earlier, the NCR faced an "emergency or severe plus" air pollution situation between 7-14 November.
With the NCR covered in smog since Wednesday, pollution levels witnessed a spike due to several meteorological factors. Delhi is facing an emergency situation for the past many hours.
“At present, the wind speed is a low 1.8 miles per second. The winds blowing from the north have helped in the temperature drop,” an official at the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) told IANS.
On Thursday, major pollutant PM 2.5 (particles suspended in air with diameter less than 2.5 micrometers) was above 300 units across NCR, with Vasundhara in Ghaziabad and Anand Vihar in east Delhi the most polluted areas.
According to data from the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, PM 2.5 concentration in Anand Vihar at 3 pm on Thursday was 491 units and 550 units in Ghaziabad -- 19 to 22 times higher than the international standards.
Air quality is designated severe plus or emergency if PM 2.5 concentration is above 300 units or PM 10 is above 500 units.
The international safe limit for PM 2.5 is 25 micrograms per cubic meter as against the national standard of 60 units.
If the air quality situation prevails for more than 48 hours with either of the two major pollutants (PM 2.5 and PM 10) above the red mark, the Supreme court-appointed Environment Pollution Control Authority brings in severe plus category restrictions under the graded response action plan.
The curbs include a ban on the entry of trucks and construction activities in the city, implementation of odd-even road rationing scheme and closure of schools.
(With inputs from IANS, PTI)
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