Delhi Chokes as AQI Hits 'Poor' Mark; GRAP Stage 1 Triggered
Delhi's air quality hits 'poor' category with AQI of 226. CAQM invokes GRAP Stage 1 to curb pollution levels across NCR.
The national capital is grappling with a sudden dip in air quality, as Delhi recorded an Delhi AQI poor reading of 226 at 7 am on Thursday. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the city has officially entered the "poor" category, marking a worrying trend as the winter season approaches.
Haze and Celebrations: The Trigger
This spike follows a thick layer of haze that blanketed various parts of the city on Wednesday morning, coinciding with the aftermath of overnight Dussehra celebrations. The air quality saw a dramatic surge on Wednesday, jumping from 179 on Tuesday afternoon to 238 by 10 am the next day—a sharp increase of 59 points in a short span.
Hotspots of Pollution
While the overall average remained in the "poor" bracket, several areas witnessed even more alarming levels. The CPCB data highlighted specific zones where the air quality plummeted into the "very poor" category:
- Jahangirpuri: 309 AQI
- Chandni Chowk: 307 AQI
Other areas that remained firmly in the "poor" category included Patparganj (298), Rohini (291), ITO (280), Bawana (275), Alipur (273), Wazirpur (253), Anand Vihar (237), Akshardham (237), and Ashok Vihar (223).
CAQM Invokes GRAP Stage 1
In response to the deteriorating conditions, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has invoked Stage 1 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the Delhi-NCR region. The decision came after a Sub-Committee reviewed the current scenario and noted the sharp rise in pollution levels.
The order highlighted that the AQI had climbed from a "Moderate" 179 on October 20 to a "Poor" 244 by 2:00 PM on October 21. Furthermore, forecasts from the IMD and IITM suggest that the air quality is likely to remain in the "poor" category for the coming days.
What Happens Now?
Under GRAP Stage 1, all concerned agencies across the National Capital Region (NCR) are tasked with implementing, monitoring, and reviewing specific restrictive measures to prevent the AQI from slipping further. The CAQM has urged implementing agencies to maintain a strict vigil and intensify their efforts. Additionally, citizens are requested to strictly follow the citizen charter outlined under the Stage 1 guidelines.
Understanding the AQI Scale
To put these numbers into perspective, the CPCB categorizes air quality based on the following index:
- 0–50: Good
- 51–100: Satisfactory
- 101–200: Moderate
- 201–300: Poor
- 301–400: Very Poor
- 401–500: Severe