Delhi air quality improves to ‘poor’ category after days in ‘very poor’ range; AQI falls to 222

Delhi’s air quality showed an improvement on Saturday, moving to the ‘poor’ category after staying in the ‘very poor’ range for several days. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed that the daily average Air Quality Index (AQI) declined further, with the city recording an overall AQI of 222 as residents woke up to a chilly and windy morning.

Among major monitoring stations, Anand Vihar reported an AQI of 248, R.K. Puram 252, Rohini 270 and Mundka 281. Chandni Chowk recorded an AQI of 272, while ITO stood at 219. Air quality remained comparatively better in Bawana with an AQI of 145 and at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport with 148.

Despite the improvement, a layer of smog remained visible in parts of the city. Republic Day rehearsals continued at India Gate, where security personnel and parade participants carried on with preparations for the national celebrations, even as reduced visibility was noticed in the area.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said Delhi recorded a temperature of around 10 degrees Celsius on Saturday morning. Fog was seen during the early hours, but weather conditions are likely to improve from today onward. According to IMD, the city’s maximum and minimum temperatures on Friday are expected to range between 15°C and 17°C, and 8°C and 9°C, respectively.

In view of the improving air quality, the Sub-Committee on the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) revoked Stage-III of GRAP on Friday evening. The decision followed a significant improvement in air quality due to favourable meteorological conditions.

The government has urged citizens to strictly follow the citizen charter under Stages II and I of the existing GRAP schedule to prevent further deterioration in air quality. It also said that construction and demolition sites issued specific closure orders for violations or non-compliance will not be allowed to resume work without explicit approval from the Commission.
According to a release, the Sub-Committee will continue to closely monitor the air quality situation and review conditions from time to time. Further decisions will depend on Delhi’s air quality levels and forecasts for meteorological conditions and AQI provided by IMD and IITM.

with ANI inputs