Residents of the national capital breathed a cautious sigh of relief as Delhi's air quality showed a marked improvement, moving out of the 'very poor' zone into the 'poor' category on Saturday. The change came as the city experienced a chilly and windy morning, with visibility affected by a layer of smog.
AQI Readings Show Gradual Decline
According to the latest data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the daily average Air Quality Index (AQI) continued its downward trend. The city recorded an overall AQI of 235 at 8 am on Saturday. Monitoring stations across Delhi reported varied levels, with some areas still experiencing significantly poor air.
Key locations recorded the following AQI readings: Anand Vihar at 248, R.K. Puram at 252, Rohini at 270, and Mundka at 281. Chandni Chowk registered an AQI of 272, while ITO recorded a relatively better 219. The air quality was notably more breathable at Bawana, with an AQI of 145, and near the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, which recorded 148.
GRAP Measures Scaled Back as Conditions Improve
In response to the sustained improvement, the Sub-Committee on the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) took a significant step on Friday evening. The committee, which operates under the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM), decided to revoke Stage-III of GRAP. This decision was attributed to a significant improvement in air quality, driven by favourable meteorological conditions.
However, the government has urged citizens to remain vigilant. Authorities have asked people to strictly adhere to the citizen charter under Stages II and I of the GRAP schedule to prevent the AQI from slipping back into worse categories. A specific directive was issued regarding construction sites: projects that were shut down due to violations will not be allowed to resume work without explicit approval from the Commission.
Weather and Republic Day Preparations Continue
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that Delhi's minimum temperature hovered around 10 degrees Celsius on Saturday morning. Early morning fog was observed, but the IMD forecast suggests that weather conditions are likely to improve from Saturday onward. For Friday, the department had predicted maximum temperatures between 15°C and 17°C and minimums between 8°C and 9°C.
Amidst the smog, Republic Day rehearsals proceeded at India Gate as scheduled. Security personnel and parade participants continued their preparations for the upcoming national celebrations, undeterred by the reduced visibility. The Sub-Committee has stated it will keep a close watch on the air quality scenario and will review the situation periodically, relying on forecasts from the IMD and IITM to make further decisions.
