New Year Yet No Resolution: Delhi continues to grapple with 'Very Poor' air quality in 2024

The AQI categorization, ranging from 'good' to 'severe,' places Delhi in the 'very poor' category, indicating adverse effects on health.

As the clock ticked into 2024, residents of Delhi experienced little relief from the ongoing problem of air pollution, with the national capital registering a 'very poor' Air Quality Index (AQI) on January 2. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the overall AQI for Delhi at 6:30 am on January 2 stood at 346.

The National AQI highlighted specific areas with alarming AQI levels in Delhi on January 2. These included Anand Vihar at 379, Wazirpur at 369, Jahangirpuri at 380, Nehru Nagar at 381, New Moti Bagh at 332, PUSA at 357, Okhla Phase-2 at 365, and IGI Airport (T3) at 288.

The AQI categorization, ranging from 'good' to 'severe,' places Delhi in the 'very poor' category, indicating adverse effects on health. An AQI reading above 400 falls into the 'severe category,' posing risks for both healthy individuals and those with pre-existing conditions.

Delhi Government Revokes GRAP Stage III

Taking immediate action on January 1, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) revoked Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR. GRAP-III, which was implemented on December 22 to address poor air quality, had triggered various measures across the region.

In its statement, CAQM announced that actions under Stage-I and Stage-II of GRAP would persist, subject to ongoing implementation and review by relevant agencies. Despite the removal of restrictions on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles, the ban on construction activities remains in force.

CAQM Urges Vigilance and Intensified Measures

As part of its directive, the commission called on agencies to maintain strict vigilance and, in particular, intensify measures under Stages I and II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The objective is to prevent the need for the implementation of Stage III of GRAP actions, underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts to address the ongoing air quality crisis in the region.