Delhi-NCR AQI crosses 240, GRAP-1 imposed:Tandoors, generators banned in hotels; poor air kills 12,000 every year in the capital

Restrictions under the first stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) were imposed in Delhi-NCR on Wednesday after air quality deteriorated. Under the restrictions, the use of coal and wood in restaurant tandoors will be prohibited. Diesel generators may be used only in emergencies or essential circumstances. According to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 179 on 20 October and rose to 244 by 2 p.m. on 21 October. Weather agencies have forecast that the AQI will remain in the poor category in the coming days. According to a 2024 study published in The Lancet, Delhi has the worst situation among India’s 10 major cities, with polluted air claiming 12,000 lives every year. GRAP is implemented when air quality deteriorates Air pollution levels are assessed by dividing them into four categories. Standards and measures have been specified for each level. This is called the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Under its four categories, the government imposes restrictions and introduces measures to reduce pollution. What does the Air Quality Index mean? The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a tool that measures how clean the air is. It also helps us assess the potential harm to our health from the air pollutants it contains. AQI primarily measures the concentration of five common air pollutants. These include ground-level ozone, particle pollution, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. You may have commonly seen AQI figures such as 80, 102, 184 and 250 on your mobile phone or in the news. See what these figures mean in the graphic.