Crisis in the Air: Gopal Rai Summons Urgent Meeting as Delhi’s AQI Plunges to ‘Very Poor’ Levels

Delhi’s Environment Minister, Gopal Rai, has convened a crucial meeting on Thursday with various departments to ensure the effective implementation of measures outlined in the central air pollution control plan, as confirmed by officials. The session, scheduled for 1 pm at the Delhi Secretariat, comes in response to the prevailing ‘very poor’ air quality experienced in Delhi and the NCR regions on Thursday, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) standing at 386 according to SAFAR data.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), specific AQI levels at 7 am were recorded at 442 in Bawana, 418 in RK Puram, 441 in Jahangirpuri, 416 in Dwarka, 415 in Alipur, 412 in Anand Vihar, 412 in ITO, and 401 near the Delhi airport.

An official from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) affirmed on Tuesday that the last stage of the central government’s air pollution control plan, the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), will be sustained. Stringent measures, including a ban on construction activities and the entry of pollution-emitting trucks into the national capital, will persist until further directives are issued, as reported by PTI.