Due to smog in Delhi, 11 flights were diverted due to low visibility
The entire Delhi NCR is in the grip of severe air pollution. The sky is covered with a blanket of smog. The Air Quality Index (AQI) has crossed the dangerous level. People are being advised to go out of the house only after wearing masks. Meanwhile, on Monday, 11 flights from Delhi had to be diverted to cities like Dehradun and Jaipur due to dense smog and low visibility.
On Monday due to smog and low visibility, 11 flights that were about to land at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi had to be diverted to Jaipur and Dehradun. These flights have been diverted as per 'Captain Minima' operating procedures. Under this, if adverse weather hinders the compliance of minimum operating standards at the time of landing, then the flight is diverted.
Till morning, a total of eight planes were diverted to other cities like Jaipur and Dehradun. However, this number reached 11 in the afternoon. Meanwhile, passengers at Delhi airport were advised to stay in touch with the respective airlines for information related to their flights.
Pollution has reached dangerous levels in Delhi these days. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital reached 490 at 1 pm. According to CPCB data, the Air Quality Index was recorded at 500 in Dwarka Sector 8, 497 in Ashok Vihar, 495 in Mundka, 495 in Patparganj, 495 in Anand Vihar, 491 in Sonia Vihar, 483 in RK Puram, 466 in Chandni Chowk and 447 in ITO.
Noting the deteriorating air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has implemented the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage 4 in Delhi NCR from today i.e. November 18. The decision was taken after AQI reached 457 by 7 pm on Sunday. The emergency meeting of the GRAP sub-committee has enforced Stage 4. Under this, the entry of trucks in Delhi except for those carrying essential goods has been banned.
Light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi will not have entry into Delhi. However, drivers of electric, CNG, and BS-VI diesel engine will be exempted. Other than the BS-IV and below diesel-powered medium and heavy goods vehicles registered in Delhi will be banned, ban on new construction and demolition activity.
The Supreme Court heard the pollution case on Monday. The apex court also reprimanded the Delhi government. Apart from this, in view of increasing air pollution in Delhi and surrounding states, on Monday Supreme Court asked to take a decision on closing schools up to class 12 immediately. However, the classes will be conducted online. A bench led by Justice Abhay S Oka directed state governments of Delhi-NCR to implement GRAP-IV norms strictly.
On the other hand, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for dense fog. Delhi NCR has turned into a gas chamber due to smog and poisonous air. The apex court asked the Delhi government why so much delay was being done to implement the GRAP 4. The Supreme Court said that even though the air quality index falls below 300, the officers won't remove the GRAP-4 without the permission of the court.
