AQI levels in Delhi's key areas cross 250 as pollution concerns persist
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Delhi's air quality remained in the 'poor' category on Tuesday morning, with a thin layer of smog covering several areas of the city, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 274 at 8 a.m. CPCB's data at 8 a.m. showed the following AQI readings: Anand Vihar at 294, ITO at 235, IGI Airport (T3) at 256, Chandni Chowk and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at 250, Okhla Phase-2 at 277, and both Punjabi Bagh and Wazirpur at 298. All these readings fall under the 'poor' category. The AQI scale categorizes the following ranges: 0-50 as good, 51-100 as satisfactory, 101-200 as moderate, 201-300 as poor, 301-400 as very poor, and 401-500 as severe.
On Monday, the Supreme Court rejected any relaxation of the GRAP-IV measures aimed at reducing Delhi's air pollution, setting the next hearing for a later date. Justices Abhay S Oka and AG Masih pointed out that NCR states—Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh—had failed to compensate construction workers as directed. They mandated virtual attendance of the Chief Secretaries of these states at the next hearing and emphasized that action typically begins only when top officials are summoned. The court indicated it would consider relaxing the measures only after a consistent improvement in air quality and scheduled the next hearing for Thursday to discuss potential adjustments to GRAP IV. During the proceedings, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati presented AQI data and suggested possible relaxations to GRAP IV. However, the court remained unconvinced due to fluctuating AQI levels. The court directed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to communicate mitigation measures to the relevant authorities and coordinate their implementation. It also noted concerning findings from court commissioners' reports, which pointed to poor coordination between the MCD, Delhi police, DPCC, and other agencies, stressing CAQM's role in managing these efforts. Additionally, the court ordered Delhi police to ensure protection for court commissioners who are also members of the bar.
