Residents of India's capital breathed a cautious sigh of relief on Thursday morning as the city's air quality showed a significant improvement from the previous day. However, the relief was tempered by the fact that the air remained firmly in the 'poor' category, continuing to pose health risks.
Sharp Drop in Pollution Levels
Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at 221 around 8 am. This marked a sharp and welcome decline from Wednesday, when the AQI had soared above the 300 mark, entering the 'very poor' zone. The improvement was attributed to stronger winds that helped disperse accumulated pollutants across the National Capital Region.
Despite the drop, a thin but persistent layer of smog lingered over several parts of Delhi, keeping visibility reduced and conditions unhealthy for sensitive groups. The average AQI on Wednesday was 271, which itself was a major improvement from Tuesday's severe reading of 412.
Area-Wise AQI Readings and Lingering Smog
The air quality picture across Delhi was a mixed bag, with most monitoring stations still reporting 'poor' conditions. Anand Vihar recorded one of the highest readings at 292, with smog visibly affecting the area. Other prominent locations also struggled with poor air:
- Bawana: 289
- Chandni Chowk: 255
- DTU: 249
- Patparganj: 230
- Dwarka Sector 8: 222
Areas like Dhaula Kuan, Akshardham, and India Gate also reported continued smog cover in the morning hours.
A few localities, however, managed to step into the 'moderate' category, offering some respite. These included Aya Nagar (137), Najafgarh (137), Mandir Marg (171), and CRRI Mathura Road (162).
Policy Actions and Judicial Intervention
The air quality debate saw significant developments on the policy and judicial fronts this week. On Tuesday, the Delhi Cabinet approved a series of new initiatives aimed at strengthening pollution control measures and improving environmental governance in the city.
In a strongly-worded observation on Wednesday, the Delhi High Court reprimanded the central government for imposing an 18% Goods and Services Tax (GST) on air purifiers and HEPA filters. The bench termed the city's pollution a "health emergency" and questioned the logic of high taxes on devices that provide basic protection against toxic air.
The court noted that when the government cannot ensure clean air for its citizens, the least it can do is make protective equipment more affordable. It gave the Centre two days to respond to the issue and directed the GST Council to consider the proposal for a tax reduction at the earliest.
While the improved wind conditions provided temporary relief, the ongoing judicial scrutiny and new policy measures highlight the persistent and severe challenge that air pollution poses to Delhi's public health and governance.
