(Image source from: Hindustantimes.com)

The national capital New Delhi has been struggling to stay away from pollution. Despite of several restrictions and rules imposed, the air quality remained poor. The fire crackers are banned in the capital for this year. The air quality in Delhi-NCR continued to be very poor and the Commission for Air Quality Management directed the authorities to enact stage two of GRAP. This includes the ban of coal and firewood in the restaurents, hotels and other eateries. The use of diesel generators is banned excpet for emergency or essential use. These are banned undet the second stage of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). There is thick and dense smog surrounded all over the Delhi-NCR region.

GRAP is classified under four stages of air quality in Delhi: The first stage is poor with AQI 201-300. The second stage is very poor with air quality AQI 301-400. The stage three is severe with air quality AQI 401-450 and the fourth stage is severe plus with AQI>450. The sub-committee under GRAP reviewed the air quality in the national capital in a meeting yesterday. The reports said that the air quality in Delhi may move into very poor category after October 22nd. because of the stable atmospheric condition and the calm winds. The Diwali festival is expected to make the situation worse. Hence all the restrictions are implemented in New Delhi with immediate effect in NCR region. Vacuum-based sweeping of roads every day and sprinkling water to prevent dust pollution is implemented by the authorities.