The air quality in Delhi continued to remain in the ‘very poor’ category on November 29, after a marginal drop in pollution levels following rainfall on Monday. According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) data, the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital stood at 318 at 8:30 am on Wednesday.

The AQI exhibited notable variations across different areas in Delhi while many parts of the city were seen covered with a layer of haze on Wednesday morning.

Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 320, while Ashok Vihar and Dwarka Sector 8 reported AQI values of 286 and 264, respectively. ITO, a prominent area in the capital, witnessed a relatively high AQI of 376. Conversely, Lodhi Road showed a comparatively lower AQI at 196. The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium registered an AQI of 134, reflecting relatively better air quality in the vicinity. Other areas such as Patparganj, Punjabi Bagh and Vivek Vihar reported AQI values of 323, 284 and 370, respectively.

In Noida, different sectors displayed varying AQI levels, with Sector 125 at 220, Sector 62 at 252, Sector 1 at 246, and Sector 116 at 245.

The Air Quality Index categorises air quality on a scale from 0 to 500, with higher values indicating higher pollution levels. An AQI between zero and 50 is categorised as ‘good’, while 301 to 400 is classified as ‘very poor’.

Meanwhile, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) announced the withdrawal of GRAP Stage-III curbs in Delhi-NCR on Tuesday. This decision was made in response to the improving air quality index, as reported by the CAQM in NCR and adjacent areas. The positive trends were attributed to light rainfall and an increase in wind speed.

The CAQM, a statutory body responsible for formulating pollution-combating strategies, made the decision based on favourable meteorological forecasts. This move facilitates the lifting of restrictions on the operation of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel four-wheelers in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Noida.

The CAQM clarified that the air quality forecasts by the India Meteorological Department/Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology do not indicate a shift in AQI to the ‘severe’ category in the coming days.

Stage III restrictions, initiated on November 2, included a halt on non-essential construction work, stone crushing, and mining in Delhi-NCR. Additionally, restrictions were imposed on the operation of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel four-wheelers in specified areas.

(Edited by : Sudarsanan Mani)