Delhi Pollution: AQI At 349, Air Quality Plummets To 'Very Poor' Category In Capital

Delhi pollution: The air quality index in Delhi at 8 am was recorded at 354, which falls under the "very poor" category.

Delhi pollution news: With the approach of winter, air quality in the capital city is noticeably taking a hit once more. On Wednesday, the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR- India), said that Delhi's air quality dropped to the 'very poor' category on Wednesday, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of '349' recorded around 7.00 am.

Anti-Pollution Plan On, Delhi Air Quality Remains 'Very Poor'

The city woke up to a smog-filled sky on Wednesday morning. A thick layer of smog enveloped the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) as the air quality index (AQI) continued to be "very poor" despite the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoking stage two of the anti-pollution plan GRAP.

"The AQI in Delhi at 8 am was recorded at 354, which falls under the "very poor" category. An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400 very poor, 401 and 450 severe, and above 450 severe-plus," SAFAR- India reported.

According to the real-time data, the air quality remained "very poor" in areas like Alipur, Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, Aya Nagar, Bawana, Burari, Dwarka, IGI Airport (T3), Jahangirpuri, Mundka, Narela, Okhla, Patparganj, Punjabi Bagh, Rohini, RK Puram, Rohini, Vivek Vihar, Shadipur, Sonia Vihar, and Wazirpur.

What Is GRAP Stage 2 Implemented In Delhi-NCR

Just like the previous winters, the national capital is back witnessing a surge in air pollution levels. Since the past few weeks, Delhi-NCR has been breathing hazardous air quality for the past few days, forcing the authorities to impose stage two of the GRAP or the Graded Response Action Plan on Tuesday. Let us understand what this is, and what can happen when it is imposed.

The introduction of GRAP Stage 2 in Delhi-NCR has sparked many discussions among local residents and stakeholders. So, what exactly is GRAP Stage 2? It stands for Graded Response Action Plan, a strategic approach aimed at tackling air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR). This stage is put in place to combat the deteriorating air quality, especially during the winter season.

According to the experts, the first step includes marking the regions that have been facing recurring severe air pollution issues. Second, the harmful effects of poor air quality on health are alarming. Third, the financial burdens of pollution are escalating. Fourth, pollution levels fluctuate seasonally, requiring a responsive strategy. Lastly, public understanding and adherence are key to making these efforts work. GRAP Stage 2 lays out clear actions based on air quality indices to effectively reduce pollution.