Delhi Pollution: AQI Drops To 'Severe' Again; Gopal Rai Urges Action Post SC Criticism On GRAP Enforcement

According to IQAir, the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 446 as of 8:30 PM. 19 out of the 39 monitoring stations across the city recorded AQI levels that were under the "severe" category.

A woman crosses a road amid cold and smoggy conditions in New Delhi.

Source : PTI

Delhi Pollution: After a brief respite, the air quality in Delhi has once again plunged into the "severe" category on Friday, with the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 401 at 6 PM today.

According to IQAir, the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 446 as of 8:30 PM. 19 out of the 39 monitoring stations across the city recorded AQI levels that fell under the "severe" category. As of 8 PM on Friday, the highest AQI was recorded in Jahangirpuri at 452, according to the Central Pollution Control Board.

The air quality in Delhi witnessed a slight improvement after an AQI of 371, which comes under "very poor" category, was recorded on Friday morning. It was a brief relief as Delhi has been witnessing "severe" and "severe plus" air pollution levels for nearly a week.

However, this respite was short-lived as the air quality in the national capital worsened during the day, with the AQI reaching 395 by 5 PM, and thereafter crossing the 400-mark an hour later.

AQI reading between 0 and 50 is considered “good,” 51 and 100 “satisfactory,” 101 and 200 “moderate,” 201 and 300 “poor,” 301 and 400 “very poor,” and 401 and 500 “severe.”

Due to the alarming levels of pollution in the city, the Delhi government has implemented anti-pollution measures to curb the deteriorating air quality levels. the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) invoked Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan to tackle the pollution.

Gopal Rao Urges Strict Enforcement Of GRAP-4

Earlier today, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai had called for strict enforcement and coordinated implementation of the GRAP across all departments amid city's severe air pollution. He had written to  Chief Secretary Dharmendra requesting personal oversight to ensure that the recent improvements in the city's air quality, which were witnessed today, could be sustained and further enhanced.  

The development came after the Supreme Court  pulled up the Delhi Police and Delhi government over "failure" to implement GRAP Stage-IV measures to curb the air pollution. The SC also appointed 13 lawyers to ensure the entry of diesel/polluting trucks from other states into Delhi was being banned.

Rai emphasised that the current situation needs urgent and sustained action from all the departments concerned. He also highlighted the significance of rigorously enforcing GRAP measures which include control of construction dust, restrictions on vehicular emissions, and curbing industrial pollution.

The Delhi minister also called for strict enforcement, with penalties for violations like open burning of waste, unauthorised construction, and stubble burning. "All departments must submit daily reports on their actions and progress in implementing GRAP guidelines. This data will be critical for monitoring the effectiveness of measures and identifying areas requiring additional focus," the letter stated.