Restrictions imposed in India's Delhi as air quality turns poor

NEW DELHI, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Delhi government on Wednesday imposed restrictions on burning coal or firewood, and using diesel-based generators, in restaurants, hotels, etc., as the air quality deteriorated into the "Poor" category.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) jumped from nearly 180 to about 300 in and around the national capital city in the past 24 hours, said media reports. Though in some areas, like Gurugram city adjoining the national capital, the AQI was recorded at 313 on Wednesday evening.

The worsening of air quality was attributed to the bursting of firecrackers on the "Dussehra" festival. Delhi's air quality was expected to further deteriorate in the coming days, as people would indulge in bursting firecrackers in the run-up to the "Diwali" festival, which falls on Nov. 8.

Announcing the restrictions, Delhi's Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said, "GRAP-1 (Graded Response Action Plan Stage-1) has been invoked today."

GRAP-1 restrictions involved a ban on using coal or firewood in hotels, restaurants, and roadside eateries, besides a total ban on the open burning of garbage, plastics, and municipal solid waste.

The minister said all government and private offices were required to implement a 50 percent "Work from Home" policy.