Delhi Air Pollution: The Central Authority for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Friday re-imposed GRAP-III in Delhi and the adjoining National Capital Region due to deteriorating air quality index (AQI). The AQI was recorded at 354 at 4 pm on Friday, marking a sharp increase from Thursday’s reading of 343. The national capital’s AQI is currently around 238, placing it in the ‘severe’ category.
According to Jagran.com, citing the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, the average AQI is expected to cross 400 in the upcoming days due to slow winds, stable atmosphere and a lack of diversion of pollutants.
What Are The Restrictions Under Grap III?
Under Grap III, the following restrictions will be imposed in the Delhi-NCR region:
- All non-essential construction and demolition activities are prohibited.
- A blanket ban will be imposed on stone crushers, mining and other related activities in Delhi and other NCR areas.
- Restrictions are also imposed on diesel vehicles and older petrol vehicles to curb emissions.
- Polluting and non-compliant industrial units are ordered to shut down.
- The use of polluting fuels in power generation is also restricted wherever applicable.
Will BS-4 Cars Be Allowed?
BS-4 diesel cars will not be allowed in the city following the reimposition of Stage-III (Severe) restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
Advisory To The Citizens
The CAQM has urged the citizens of NCR to follow the GRAP Citizen Charter and increase the use of public transport to avoid polluting activities. Residents of Delhi have been advised to wear masks, limit ventilation, and ensure extra precautions for children and the elderly. The CAQM will continue to closely monitor the situation and take further action as required.
Stage IV Likely To Be Imposed
According to environmental experts, the GRAP-III rules may be strictly implemented in the city due to the unfavourable weather conditions, which would persist for the next two to three days. If the weather conditions continue to remain unfavourable, the Grap-IV restrictions can also be implemented in the city.
Shiv Sena (UBT) sweeps Worli, wins 6 of 7 seats; Shinde faction bags 1
The Shiv Sena (UBT) delivered a commanding performance in Mumbai’s Worli, winning six of the seven corporator seats in the area, underlining its strong hold over the constituency.
Worli:-
193
Hemangi Worlikar (SS UBT) — 12,768
Pralhad Kamlakar Worlikar (SS) — 9,837
194
Nishikant Shinde (SS UBT)— 15,592
Samadhan Sarvankar (SS) – 14,989
195
Rajesh Kangane (BJP) — 10,007
Vijay Bhange (SS UBT) — 15,562
196
Ashish Chemburkar (SS UBT) — 13,169
Sonali Sawant (BJP) — 6,834
197
Vanita Narvankar (SS) — 7,153
Farheen Khan (NCP) — 3,815
Rachna Salvi (MNS) — 2,731
Shravani Desai (Independent) — 3,219
198 — Direct fight between the Senas
Aboli Khadye (SS UBT) — 15,678
Vandana Gawli (SS) — 9,400
199
Kishori Pednekar (SS UBT) — 12,786
Rupal Rajesh Kusale (SS) — 11,097