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New Delhi, Nov 23 (IANS) Delhi-NCR’s air quality remained in the ‘very poor’ category on Sunday, with the average air quality index (AQI) reaching 380, according to Central Pollution Control Board data.
At 7:15 am, Jahangirpuri recorded AQI 438, which falls in the severe category, while 431 in Bawana, 427 in Anand Vihar and 421 in Ashok Vihar also recorded severe pollution levels.
In the NCR region, Noida’s air quality remained just below the severe level with an AQI of 396. Greater Noida recorded 380, placing it in the very poor category, while Ghaziabad recorded 426, placing it in the severe category.
Gurugram and Faridabad fared slightly better, with AQI levels of 286 and 228 respectively, both in the ‘poor’ category.
Amid rising pollution levels, the Air Quality Management Commission on Saturday revised the Graded Response Action Plan for NCR and surrounding areas.
In a press release, CAQM said measures previously reserved for the ‘severe’ category under GRAP Phase IV will now be implemented in Phase III.
These steps include ensuring uninterrupted power supply to reduce the use of diesel generators, deploying additional personnel at traffic congestion hotspots, issuing pollution alerts on media platforms and expanding the CNG and electric public transport fleet with increased service frequency with varying fares to promote off-peak travel.
Many measures previously placed under Phase III for the ‘very worst’ category have now been shifted to Phase II. These include different working hours for government offices in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddh Nagar.
The Center may also consider staggered timings for its offices in the region.
Restrictions earlier imposed for Phase IV during severe AQI, such as allowing public, municipal and private offices to function with only 50 per cent staff and requiring the remaining employees to work from home, will now be applicable to Phase III.
Meanwhile, the Delhi government has directed private offices to function with 50 per cent on-site staff and allowed the rest to work from home as a precautionary measure, as the capital continues to grapple with poor air quality.
–IANS
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