Air quality in Delhi-NCR continue to remain in ‘very poor’ category

According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research, the national capital’s air quality remained in the “very poor” category on Monday, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 381. (SAFAR).

The AQI in the Delhi University region was 389, whereas it was 382 in the IIT Delhi area. The air quality at the Airport (T3) region was assessed as 387. The AQI in the National Capital Region (NCR) remained in the ‘Very Poor Category,’ according to SAFAR. The AQI in Gurugram was reported at 388, while the same result was observed in Noida.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) from 0 to 100 is regarded excellent, while 100 to 200 is considered moderate, 200 to 300 is considered bad, 300 to 400 is considered extremely poor, and 400 to 500 or above is considered severe.

Even though the overall air quality of the national capital deteriorated suddenly, rapidly, and unexpectedly, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change informed on Sunday that the sub-committee for invoking actions under GRAP of CAQM decided that there is no need to invoke stage III of GRAP at this time.

It is worth noting that GRAP Stage III entails a prohibition on all building and demolition operations save those of national importance.

Given the unexpected increase in the average AQI of Delhi, the Sub-Committee for Invoking Actions Under the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) met today to assess the situation.

During the meeting, it was noted that the sudden and steep drop in air quality parameters in the region in the last 24 hours, which led to the overall AQI of Delhi moving into the “Severe” category today, is an anomaly, as forecasts predict immediate improvement with the overall AQI moving into the “Very Poor” category.

It is worth noting that GRAP Stage III entails a prohibition on all building and demolition operations save those of national importance. According to the release, Delhi’s overall air quality has deteriorated suddenly, rapidly, and unexpectedly since late last night, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) clocking 407 today, according to the 4 PM AQI Bulletin provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), an increase of 113 points from the AQI recorded yesterday (294).