Delhi-NCR remains under fog-like condition; air pollution stands at ‘severe’

Delhi's air quality index remained in the ‘severe’ category on Friday morning due to adverse meteorological circumstances that impeded the dispersion of pollutants, meaning that inhabitants woke up breathing hazardous air for the second time in a row.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), at 5 AM, the AQI readings in Dwarka, Anand Vihar, RK Puram, and IGI Airport exceeded 400.

Wednesday's air quality in the Ghaziabad area dropped to the "very poor" level, making it difficult for people to breathe and causing burning and irritation in their eyes.

For taking the measures to ensure strict compliance with GRAP-IV rules in the city, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Thursday held a review meeting at the Delhi Secretariat with the concerned officers and formed a 6-member special task force for proper implementation and monitoring of GRAP rules.

While talking to ANI after the meeting on Thursday, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said, "The task force includes the Special Commissioner of Transport, DCP (HQ) Traffic Police, Deputy Commissioner, Revenue (HQ), Chief Engineers of MCD and PWD. The main work of this task force will be to coordinate daily with the concerned departments and remove the problems faced by them and give the implementation report to the government."

Rai further added that the panel will monitor the situation for coming next 2-3 days and then will decide on further steps like, artificial rain and odd-even rule. 

In addition to this, the ban on the operation of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel LMV (4 wheelers) under GRAP-4 has been implemented.