Is There Any Hope for Delhi's Air Quality Index to Improve in the Next 3 Days?

"Is Delhi's Air Quality Index a Threat to Public Health?"

Delhi’s air quality remained in the “very poor” category for the eighth consecutive day on Sunday with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 311.The air quality of the national capital is likely to remain in the “very poor” category for the next three days due to unfavourable weather conditions, according to the Air Quality Early Warning System.Among the 37 air quality monitoring stations in the national capital, most of them showed readings above 300, categorised as “Very Poor,” with Anand Vihar, ITO and Mundka AQI recording AQI at 342, 321, and 360, respectively. #WATCH | Delhi remains shrouded in a thin layer of smog as the air quality in the city continues to be in the ‘Very poor’ category, as per the Central Pollution Control Board. Visuals from Bhikaji Cama Place and surrounding areas.(Drone visuals shot at 7:20 am today) pic.twitter.com/Wblu69CxkN— ANI (@ANI) December 1, 2024Delhi’s 24-hour average AQI was recorded at 346 at 4 pm on Saturday, marking a slight rise from 331 recorded on Friday, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).There are six categories of AQI, namely ‘Good’ (0-50), ‘Satisfactory’ (51-100), ‘Moderately polluted’ (101-200), ‘Poor’ (201-300), ‘Very Poor’ (301-400), and ‘Severe’ (401-500).GRAP-IV Restrictions In DelhiAlthough the AQI remains in the ‘very poor’ category, it has improved significantly compared to the past few weeks when it worsened to the ‘hazardous’ level, prompting the implementation of GRAP-IV restrictions.In response to the alarming situation, the Supreme Court has directed the enforcement of all measures under Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-4), except those related to the closure of schools.GRAP-4 mandates strict restrictions on construction activities, industrial emissions, and other pollution-intensive practices. The court has expressed concern over lapses in the implementation of these guidelines and has warned that officials responsible for such failures will face legal consequences.While allowing physical classes to continue, the court declined to ease restrictions under GRAP-3 or GRAP-2 until there was a consistent decrease in the AQI levels. It also instructed state governments to utilise the labour cess collected to support construction workers impacted by the ongoing construction ban.Authorities have implemented several restrictions under GRAP-4, including a ban on the entry of non-essential trucks into Delhi, except those carrying essential goods or running on cleaner fuels such as LNG, CNG, BS-VI diesel, or electricity.