On Monday morning, Delhi's air quality has a minor improvement, bringing minor relief to people after a season-high pollution level of 391 on Sunday. However, the air in the national capital remained unsafe to breathe as a thick layer of smog blanketed the city amid dipping temperatures.
Delhi's overall AQI stood at 346 at 6:05 am as per the Central Pollution Control Board, falling in the "very poor" category. Several areas, however, continued to record "severe" levels of pollution.
Data from CPCB’s Sameer app showed Bawana topping the chart with an AQI of 412, followed by Wazirpur (397), Jahangirpuri (394) and Nehru Nagar (386). Over half of Delhi's 39 monitoring stations had slipped into the "severe" category with readings above 400 a day earlier.
As per a report by The Hindustan Times, the slight improvement on Monday has been attributed by experts to increased wind speeds and a marginal dip in the incidents of stubble burning in neighbouring states. Pollution levels, though, remain far above safe limits.
Air quality also remained "very poor" around NCR - with Noida recording 335, Ghaziabad at 302, and Greater Noida at 314, as per CPCB data.
GRAP stage 3 restrictions deferred
As per the reports, the Commission for Air Quality Management reviewed the situation on Sunday evening and decided against invoking Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan.
The forecasts are that the air quality will remain in the same category for the coming days, as per IMD and IITM. However, looking at the slight improvement trend, authorities have decided to continue with the restrictions under Stage 1 and Stage 2 for the time being.
The Stage 3 measures, if imposed, would include a ban on non-essential construction, restrictions on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles, and hybrid or online classes for students up to Class V.
Protests over air crisis
Amid worsening air conditions, Delhi Police detained several protesters at India Gate on Sunday. The protesters included students and professionals who were asking the government to take more action to address the pollution crisis, Hindustan Times reported.
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Carrying placards with messages such as “Clean Air for Children” and “Stop the Air Emergency”, they said that authorities showed “lack of political will” to find lasting solutions.
According to the Air Quality Early Warning System, Delhi's air will continue to remain in the "very poor" category for the next few days, and no significant improvement is expected in the short term. The air quality in Delhi has remained between 'poor' and 'severe' categories since Diwali, keeping the capital trapped under a toxic haze.
