New Delhi: Delhi woke up to another day of concerning air quality as the Air Quality Index (AQI) lingered in the ‘poor’ category on Sunday, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
On Sunday morning, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported varying Air Quality Index (AQI) levels across different areas in Delhi. Anand Vihar registered an AQI of 266, RK Puram at 241, Punjabi Bagh at 233, and ITO at 227, all indicative of poor air quality.
Vehicles entering the national capital are being checked by officials amid the pollution-related GRAP 4 regulations.
There was a slight improvement in Delhi’s air quality on Saturday following the rainfall on Friday. The air quality, which was previously categorised as ‘Very Poor’ by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), improved to the ‘Poor’ category.
However, despite the rains offering a slight respite, Delhi’s air quality continued to be a matter of concern for residents.
A local resident and morning walker at Kartavya Path noted, “After the rains, the pollution has slightly decreased, but the bad air quality condition persists. We are still facing some problems in breathing.”
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced on Friday that the state government would delay the proposed implementation of the odd-even car-rationing scheme in the city.
There was also a dip in the levels of pollutants PM 2.5 and PM10 after 4 am across the national capital and surrounding areas.
For the next two days post-Diwali Sunday, the weather department has forecast a partly cloudy sky with mist or shallow fog in the mornings, and thereafter, for the subsequent two days, it has forecast a mainly clear sky with shallow fog in the mornings.
The Delhi government is making efforts to execute anti-pollution measures, and it is also considering the idea of ‘artificial rain’ to curtail the pollution issue. Several ministers of the Aam Aadmi Party were also seen on the ground on Thursday night inspecting the execution of anti-pollution initiatives.
Currently, Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has been implemented in the national capital.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday expressed grave concern over the hazardous air quality in the national capital and directed that farmers should stop stubble burning forthwith in Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh, saying it was one of the major contributors to air pollution.
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