Delhi air pollution: Smog returns as AQI plunges to 'very poor' category

NEW DELHI: Delhiites woke up to smoggy conditions on Monday with AQI in the 'very poor' category after a brief respite on Sunday.As per the data collected at 7am, the Air Quality Index (AQI) reported at Anand Vihar was at 333, 314 at Ashok Vihar, 324 at Bawana, 341 at Mundka, and 326 at Jahangirpuri.Several other areas reported AQI in 'poor' category, with readings from ITO at 234, Burari Crossing at 287, Lodhi Road at 216, and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at 234.An Air Quality Index (AQI) in the range of 0-50 is regarded as good, 51-100 as satisfactory, while 101-200 reflects moderate air quality. Levels between 201-300 are considered poor, 301-400 is very poor, and 401-500 is severe.On Sunday, Delhi experienced improved air quality and favorable wind conditions compared to the past two weeks. Winds blew at speeds up to 15 kmph in the capital. Mahesh Palawat, vice-president of climate change and meteorology at Skymet, stated, "The region received westerly winds, which are dry. The speed hovered between 10-15 kmph, starting late Saturday night, thus cleaning up the air quality. The wind speed is likely to be good for the next 2-3 days, with no possibility of fog, which means that the air quality may improve further."Track pollution levels in your cityDespite the current air quality conditions, Delhi remains under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) IV restrictions. Authorities may review these restrictions today. On Saturday, stubble burning accounted for 19.58% of pollution, while transport added 16%. By Sunday, local transport contributed 18.15% to pollution, Jhajjar 8.7%, residential emissions 4.5%, and industries on the city's periphery 3.6%.Residents in Delhi have reported issues such as breathing difficulties and fever and have called on authorities to seek a permanent solution to increasing pollution levels.Delhi's environment minister calls for strict GRAP implementation amid falling air qualityDelhi's environment minister, Gopal Rai, has appealed to chief secretary Dharmendra for strict implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in response to the deteriorating air quality in the capital city. The minister emphasized coordinated efforts among all departments to execute the Winter Action Plan-2024 for continuous improvements in air quality.Rai instructed all departments to submit daily reports on their actions and the progress made under GRAP. He underlined the necessity of enforcing measures to penalize those violating air pollution guidelines.