Pollution levels in Delhi and its ✱suburbs increased further overnight with the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the capital recorded at 365 at 9 am on Tuesday, acc𝔉ording to the Central Pollution Control Board.
The city's AQI stoodꦅ at ♊348 at 4 pm on Monday, deteriorating from 301 on Sunday.
The 24-hour average AQI, recorded at 4 p𝄹m every day, was 319 on Saturday, 405 on Friday and 419 on Thursday.
Neighbouring Ghaziabad (340), Gurugram (324), Greater Noida (306), Noida (338) and Fa💧ridabad (336ไ) also recorded 'poor' air quality.
An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'verꦐy poor', 401 and 450 'severe' and above 450 'severe plus'.
The Centre on Saturday removed stringent curbs, including a ban on construction work related to linear projects and the entry of polluting trucks into Delhi in view of a drop in pollution l🌼evels due to favourable wind speed an🀅d direction.
These measur🌠es constitute the final stage -- Stage IV -- of the Centre's air pollution control pꦏlan called the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in National Capital Region and Adjoining Area, a 🦋statutory body responsible for formulating strategies to combat pollution in the region, asked Delhi and NCR states to revoke all emergency measures, under which only CNG, electric and BS VI-compliant vehicles froไm other states are allowed to enter Delhi, with exemptions granted to those involved in essential services.
All medium and heavy goဣods vehicles not engaged in essential services were also banned in the capital under Stag🧔e IV of GRAP.
According to the latest CAQM order, all other curbs under stages I, II and III of GRAP, including a ban on n🐽on-essential construction work, mining, stone ꦅcrushers and diesel generators will continue.
Delhi on Tuesday recorded a minimum temperature of 11.5 deg🎀rees Celsius, a notch below the 💟season's average, the India Meteorological Department said.
The re꧑lative humidity was recorde𝓀d at 91 per cent at 8:30 am.
The IMD has predicted shallow fog during the d🐎ay. The maximum temperat🌞ure is likely to settle around 26 degrees Celsius.
