Delhi Pollution Live News: The air quality has plunged to 'severe plus'.
Delhi Air Pollution Live Updates: The Supreme Court on Monday questioned the Delhi government over the worsening air quality in the national capital, asking why there was a delay in implementing the anti-pollution measures. "Why did we wait for the air quality index to cross 300?" the top court asked.
The top court was hearing a petition seeking enforcement of measures to curb air pollution in the national capital.
Delhi's air quality plunged to 'severe plus' for the first time this season, forcing the government to implement Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) - an anti-pollution plan. According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) data, Delhi's air quality Index (AQI) was 481 this morning. Of the 35 monitoring stations in the national capital, most recorded over 400 AQI, with Dwarka reporting the highest at 499.
Here are the developments on the Delhi air pollution crisis:
All Delhi School Classes Go Online After Top Court Rap Over Air PollutionThe Delhi and Haryana governments on Monday suspended physical classes for standards 10 and 12 in the national capital and neighbouring Gurugram, hours after the Supreme Court directed all states in the National Capital Region (NCR) to shift to the online mode in view of the deteriorating air quality in the city.
Primary schools in Gurugram shut amid rising air pollution
Amid rising air pollution in Delhi and NCR, the Gurugram administration ordered the temporary closing of primary schools in the district on Monday. The orders issued said it was found that in the last 24 hours, the AQI in some areas has been in the "very poor" category and also reached the "severe" category.
Delhi govt demands Centre to take "emergency measures" over rising pollution in north IndiaDelhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Monday said the Delhi government is "doing its part" to tackle the worsening air quality, and demanded that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre take immediate action to protect not just the national capital, but the entire North India region. "At its level, the Delhi government is taking all possible steps... I demand that the central government take emergency measures so that the whole of north India can be saved from this situation," Rai said.
SC Seeks Real Time Data on Stubble BurningThe top court directed the Centre to get real time data from the Indian Space Research and other agencies on stubble burning. "We want all instances of burning to be given on a real time to all states," it said.
Some Sense Of Urgency Needs To Be There: SC To CAQM
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) waited for improvement in weather conditions, instead of implementing different stages of GRAP amid the alarming rise in pollution level, the top court said. "Some sense of urgency needs to be there," the court told CAQM.
11 flights to Delhi diverted
At least 11 flights to Delhi have been diverted on Monday due to the low visibility owing to the 'severe plus' air quality.
Trains, Flights delayed due to smog in DelhiThe visibility in Delhi dropped to around 150 meters after the air quality touched 'severe plus' in the national capital, causing delay in trains and flights.
Several SpiceJet, IndiGo and Air India flights have been delayed.
Trains, including, Puri-New Delhi Purushottam Express, Rajgir-New Delhi Shramjeevi Express coming have been delayed by three hours.
AQI levels in Delhi: Latest CPCB dataDwarka,sector-8 (DPCC) -500
Major dhyanchand national stadium - 497
Najafgarh - 497
Bawana - 495
Ashok vihar - 495
Mundka - 495
Wazirpur - 492
Rohini - 492
Pusa - 491
Smog in Delhi more than 60 times WHO limit: ReportResidents of Delhi choked in a blanketing toxic smog on Monday as worsening air pollution surged past 60 times the World Health Organization's recommended daily maximum, news agency AFP reported citing IQAir pollution monitors.
According to the report, the level of deadly PM2.5 pollutants (fine particulate matter in the air that causes the most damage to health) peaked, with a reading above 15 in a 24-hour period considered unhealthy by the WHO.
What are the restrictions under GRAP-4?Under the GRAP-4, a ban has been imposed on Delhi-registered BS-IV or older diesel medium and heavy goods vehicles. All trucks and light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi will not be allowed to enter the national capital, except for those carrying essential commodities or providing essential services
Additionally, all schools have been shifted online, except for Classes 10 and 12. Public and private offices have also been asked to work at 50 per cent capacity and the rest have been recommended to work from home.
According to a government release, the state government may consider additional emergency measures such as the closure of non-emergency commercial activities, and permitting the running of vehicles on an odd-even basis of registration numbers.
"Don't relax curbs without informing": Supreme Court tells Delhi governmentThe Supreme Court told the Delhi government to not relax the GRAP-4 anti-pollution curbs without the court's order.
Atishi Slams Centre Over "Inaction" On Stubble BurningDelhi Chief Minister Atishi hit out at the central government on Monday, accusing it of "inaction" and "politics on pollution" after the air quality in the national capital worsens and plunges into the 'severe plus' category.
According to Atishi, the stubbing burning incidents have been increased in the last six years in Madhya Pradesh.
"What has centre done to curb this?," she questioned.
What does the plea in Supreme Court say?
The petitioners, on November 14, had demanded an early hearing from the Supreme Court over the air pollution in Delhi, saying that the situation is becoming "serious". According to the plea, the Delhi government did not take any concrete measures to curb the pollution levels.
Supreme Court questions delay in anti-pollution measures in DelhiThe Supreme Court on Monday questioned the Delhi government over the worsening air quality in the national capital.
"Why did we wait for the air quality index to cross 300...How could the government take such a risk?"