Air quality of Delhi to be in ‘Moderate’ category in the coming days

New Delhi: Delhi’s overall air quality has significantly improved since 30 January. In view of this improvement in the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi over past few days and also considering the meteorological/ weather forecasts, the Sub-Committee for invoking actions under Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and adjoining areas (CAQM) has reviewed the current air quality scenario.

While reviewing the overall air quality parameters of Delhi-NCR and other aspects, the Sub-Committee noted that forecasts by IMD/ IITM do not indicate the overall AQI of Delhi to slip into ‘Very Poor’ category in the coming days and is likely to remain in ‘Moderate’ category. “Therefore, it is felt advisable to relax the ongoing restrictions under Stage-II of GRAP and roll it back with immediate effect in the entire NCR,” says AQI Bulletin provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The overall AQI of Delhi has significantly improved from the level of 207 (‘Poor’ category) observed on 30 January to 192 (upper-end of ‘Moderate’ category) observed on 31 January to 164 (‘Moderate’ category) recorded on 1st February.

Based on earlier decisions of the Sub-Committee for invoking actions under GRAP, preventive/ restrictive actions upto Stage-II of GRAP were already in force, vide order dated October 5, 2022 for Stage-I; and order dated October 19, 2022 for Stage-II respectively.

Furthermore, as the air quality prediction not indicating any significant deterioration of air quality of Delhi in the coming days with highly favourable conditions for dispersion of pollutants because of good wind velocity and high ventilation index, the Sub-Committee, accordingly decided to revoke the order, issued vide dated 19th October, 2022 for implementation of actions under Stage-II of GRAP with immediate effect.

All actions under Stage-I of GRAP shall however remain invoked and be implemented, monitored and reviewed by all agencies concerned in the entire NCR to ensure that the overall air quality of Delhi-NCR does not deteriorate further in the coming days.