14 Delhi-bound flights diverted due to low visibility

New Delhi: Amid enforcement of "low visibility procedures" at the Indira Gandhi International Airport here, 14 Delhi-bound flights have been diverted to Jaipur and Dehradun so far on Monday as bad weather conditions resulted in poor visibility impacting aircraft operations in the National Capital. Low Visibility Procedures The Delhi Airport in the morning issued an advisory for passengers and informed that flight operations may get affected but the 'Low Visibility Procedures' are still in progress at the airport. The advisory requested the passengers to contact their respective airlines for 'updated information' about their flights. Flight opertaions affected "Low Visibility Procedures are still in progress at Delhi Airport and flight operations may get affected at the Delhi Airport. Passengers are requested to contact the airline concerned for updated flight information. Advisory issues Any inconvenience caused is deeply regretted," the advisory reads. The air quality level in the National Capital has plunged to 'severe plus' levels. Air Quality Index recorded According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 12 pm was 489 in the National Capital. According to the data of the CPCB, the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at Dwarka Sector 8 is 500, Ashok Vihar is 497, Mundka is 495, Patparganj is 495, Anand Vihar is 495, Sonia Vihar at 491, RK Puram is 483, Chandani Chowk is 466 and ITO is 447, as of 12 pm. GRAP Stage 4 The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) imposed the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage 4 in Delhi NCR from today, after the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached to 'severe plus' category. This decision was taken after Delhi's daily average AQI rose sharply to 441 by 4 PM on Sunday, and further escalated to 457 by 7 PM which prompted an emergency meeting of the GRAP Sub-Committee. Key measures taken The Stage-IV response encompasses an 8-point action plan designed to mitigate the pollution crisis. Key measures include banning the entry of trucks into Delhi, except for the ones carrying essential commodities or providing essential services. The Sub-Committee has also extended the ban on construction and demolition activities to include public infrastructure projects like highways, roads, flyovers, and power transmission lines. (with Agency inputs)