The air quality in Delhi and its neighbouring cities remains a cause of concern for authorities, as several areas in the city reported Air Quality Index (AQI) in the ‘severe’ category on Thursday morning. According to data from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), the average AQI in the national capital stood at 373 in the ‘very poor’ category.

However, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed that the air quality deteriorated to the ‘severe’ category in many areas. The areas which reported higher AQI levels with ‘severe’ air quality included, Alipur at 411, Dwarka at 413, Jahangirpuri at 433 and Bawana at 438.

Further details reveal the severity of the situation as Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 387 (very poor), RK Puram at 415, ITO Delhi at 343 (very poor), and Wazirpur at 422. The Okhla Phase-2 also reported a ‘severe’ AQI of 406 at 7 AM on Thursday.

The 24-hour average AQI, recorded at 4 PM on Wednesday, stood at 395, showcasing a concerning upward trend. This follows a brief improvement in air quality on Sunday, with a subsequent sharp increase in AQI levels in the subsequent days.

The recent surge in pollution coincides with the removal of stringent restrictions on Saturday, including the ban on construction work related to linear projects and the entry of polluting trucks in Delhi. These measures were lifted due to a temporary drop in pollution levels attributed to favourable wind speed and direction.

Environment Minister Gopal Rai emphasised the critical need for sustained awareness to preserve the improvements in air quality, according to the report by ANI. While the ban on truck entry has been revoked, restrictions on the movement of private and commercial vehicles within the city or entering Delhi from outer states persist under GRAP-IV guidelines.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court while hearing a batch of petitions on the air pollution crisis in Delhi-NCR, rebuked the Punjab and Central governments for politicising the issue of stubble burning. The court proposed various measures to curb this practice, including considering the possibility of withholding monetary benefits, such as the Minimum Support Price (MSP) on paddy, from those violating the rules on controlling farm fires.

(Edited by : Sudarsanan Mani)