Delhi Air Quality Worsens Ahead of Diwali, GRAP 2 Looms, Rahul Dares ModiDelhi's air quality deteriorated sharply at the onset of Diwali week, with several monitoring stations recording severe pollution levels, including Wazirpur at 424 and Jahangirpuri at 417. The citywide average Air Quality Index breached the 300 mark, prompting authorities to consider invoking GRAP Stage 2 measures.
Implementation of the winter action plan faced compliance challenges across commercial hubs like Connaught Place and Lajpat Nagar, despite restrictions on non-compliant BS6 vehicles entering from neighbouring NCR areas, bans on non-emergency construction, and fuel supply restrictions for vehicles lacking valid PUC certificates. Meanwhile, Gurugram announced anti-pollution curbs, including construction bans and a 50 percent work-from-home mandate for offices.
The bulletin also covered Rahul Gandhi's open debate challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over alleged foreign backing, Reliance Foundation's unveiling of the 100-acre Anant Ashray care township in Karjat, and the political fallout in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab following recent developments.