Eleven flights scheduled to land at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International airport were diverted to Jaipur and Dehradun on Monday due to fog and low visibility. These flights were diverted under the 'Captain Minima' operating procedures, under which flights are diverted if adverse weather conditions hinder the compliance of minimum operating standards during landing.

By morning, a total of eight flights were diverted to other cities like Jaipur and Dehradun. However, this number increased to 11 in the afternoon. Meanwhile, passengers at Delhi airport were advised to stay in touch with the concerned airlines for information related to their flights.

Where and what was the AQI recorded?

These days pollution in Delhi has reached dangerous levels. 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.

GRAP Stage 4 implemented in Delhi

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has implemented Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage 4 in Delhi NCR from today i.e. 18 November. This decision was taken after the AQI reached 457 by 7 pm on Sunday. The emergency meeting of the sub-committee of GRAP has implemented Stage 4. Under this, the entry of all trucks in Delhi has been banned except those carrying essential goods.

These vehicles will get entry

Light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi will also not be allowed to enter Delhi. However, electric, CNG, and BS-VI diesel engine drivers will be exempted. Apart from this, diesel-powered medium and heavy goods vehicles of BS-IV and below registered in Delhi will also be banned. New construction and demolition activity will also be prohibited.

Supreme Court reprimanded Delhi government

The Supreme Court heard the pollution case on Monday. The apex court also reprimanded the Delhi government. Apart from this, amid rising air pollution in Delhi and surrounding states, the Supreme Court on Monday asked to take an immediate decision on closing schools up to class 12. However, classes will be conducted online. A bench headed by Justice Abhay S Oka directed the state governments of Delhi-NCR to strictly implement the GRAP-IV norms.

On the other hand, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for dense fog. Delhi NCR has become a gas chamber due to haze and poisonous air. The apex court asked the Delhi government why there was so much delay in implementing GRAP 4? The Supreme Court said that even if the air quality index falls below 300, the officials will not remove GRAP-4 without the permission of the court.