AQI in severe category in NCR. Photo Courtesy- Jagran Graphics
Digital Desk, Noida. Amid adverse weather conditions in NCR, air pollution levels increased so rapidly on Saturday that the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) had to be changed twice in a single day. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) first announced Grade Three in the morning, but by the evening the AQI reached dangerous levels, forcing Grade Four.
Noida is the first and Greater Noida is the second most polluted city.
It has become difficult for people to breathe as the air in Noida has reached severe category. On Sunday, the Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 433 in Sector-62 area of Noida, which has been kept in the severe category of air. Earlier on Saturday, Noida's AQI was recorded at 455 and Greater Noida's AQI was recorded at 422 in the severe category. Due to increasing pollution, people are facing the problem of itching in eyes and burning sensation in nose.
Vehicles moving amidst smog near Sector-52 of Noida. Photo Courtesy- Saurabh Rai
Now, considering the current trend of air quality, restrictions of all four phases are in place in NCR to improve the AQI. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has attributed the weak western disturbance moving towards north-west India as the main reason for the deterioration in AQI, and not local pollution.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), at 11 pm on Sunday, the average AQI of Delhi was 458, Noida's AQI 455, Greater Noida's AQI 442, Ghaziabad's AQI 430 and Gurugram's AQI 322, which has been kept in the severe category. Under Grape, the air quality is divided into four stages. It is considered poor (AQI 201-300), very poor (AQI 301-400), severe (AQI 401-450) and severe plus (AQI above 450).
Which grape is used when?
To implement the restrictions under Grape in NCR, the air quality has been divided into four stages. When AQI is between 201 to 300, then the first stage of restrictions is imposed, when AQI is between 301 to 400, second stage of restrictions is imposed, when AQI is between 401 to 450, then fourth stage of restrictions are imposed.
GRAP Stage-1 (AQI 201-300)
What steps were taken?
GRAP Phase-2 (AQI 301-400)
GRAP Phase-3 (AQI 401-450)
GRAP Phase-4 (AQI 450+)
Also read- What is GRAP-4? What things are banned in this phase to prevent pollution?