Delhi woke up to yet another day of ‘very poor’ air quality on Thursday, barely 24 hours after the Commission for Air Quality Management lifted Stage 3 restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan. At 8 am, the city's overall Air Quality Index stood at 351, indicating toxic pollution levels that continue to blanket the National Capital Region.
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Key areas record AQI above 300
Several pockets across the city remained heavily polluted. Burari, Anand Vihar, Chandni Chowk, ITO and Jahangirpuri recorded AQI readings over 300. Data showed Burari at 369, Anand Vihar at 390, Dwarka at 348, Jahangirpuri at 394, Narela at 388 and Rohini touching 400, all within the ‘very poor’ to ‘severe’ range.
The 24-hour average AQI was 327 at 4 pm on Wednesday, marginally better than Tuesday's 353 and Monday's 328, but still firmly in the 'very poor' band. This was the 21st consecutive day the city's AQI stayed above 300.
Measures to be strengthened in Stage 1 & 2
While revoking Stage 3 restrictions, the CAQM said that measures under Stage 1 and Stage 2 of GRAP will be intensified. The Sub-Committee also made it clear that construction and demolition sites that were closed earlier cannot start operations unless a fresh clearance is issued by the Commission.
According to forecasts by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, the air quality is not likely to improve in the days to come since most of the models project it to stay in the ‘very poor’ category.
Centre calls for long-term greening plan
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav has asked Delhi and NCR states to prepare a scientifically designed greening strategy with a focus on long-term improvement in air quality. According to PTI, he emphasised that the plan must cover both rural and urban areas and be based on detailed mapping of forest land.
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Rising health concerns reported among residents
As per a report by The Hindustan Times, the persistent smog has aggravated respiratory, eye, and lung-related complaints across the city. Due to the high levels of pollution in recent weeks, heightened health discomfort is still experienced by residents as authorities work to manage the prolonged air quality crisis.
