Delhi Chokes as Air Quality Hits 'Poor'; GRAP Stage 1 Triggered Across NCR
Delhi's air quality hits the 'poor' category, prompting CAQM to invoke GRAP Stage 1 measures across the NCR to combat rising pollution levels.
The National Capital Region (NCR) is once again battling a thick blanket of pollution as Delhi's air quality plummeted into the GRAP stage 1 Delhi threshold. On Thursday morning, the government's AQI dashboard recorded the Air Quality Index (AQI) at 299, while the private monitoring platform IQAir reported a reading of 242. This deterioration has forced the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to invoke Stage 1 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) with immediate effect.
The Surge in Pollution
The air quality in the capital saw a dramatic shift over the last few days. On Tuesday afternoon, the AQI stood at a relatively moderate 179. However, by Wednesday morning, a dense layer of haze enveloped the city, largely following the overnight celebrations of Dussehra. By 2:00 PM on Wednesday, the daily average AQI had surged to 244, marking a sharp increase of 59 points in a short span.
The situation reached a critical point in several pockets of the city. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), areas like Jahangirpuri and Chandni Chowk crossed the 'poor' threshold and entered the 'very poor' category, recording AQIs of 309 and 307, respectively.
Area-Wise AQI Breakdown
The pollution levels varied across the city, but most major hubs remained in the 'poor' zone:
- Patparganj: 298
- ITO: 280
- Defence Colony: 261
- Anand Vihar: 237
- Akshardham Temple: 237
- Rohini: 226
- Shahdara: 225
- Deoli: 203
CAQM Steps In: What is GRAP Stage 1?
Following a review by the GRAP Sub-Committee, the CAQM issued an order to implement Stage 1 measures. The decision was influenced not only by current readings but also by forecasts from the IMD and IITM, which predict that the air quality will remain in the 'poor' category for the coming days.
The order mandates that all concerned agencies across the entire NCR strictly monitor and implement the measures outlined in the GRAP schedule to prevent the AQI from slipping further. Additionally, citizens have been urged to adhere to the citizen charter associated with Stage 1 to help mitigate the pollution crisis.
Impact Beyond Delhi
The pollution crisis is not limited to the capital. In Uttar Pradesh, the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) has begun spraying water on major roads to settle dust and curb rising pollution levels. In Lucknow's Lalbagh area, the AQI was recorded at 223, placing it firmly in the 'poor' category.
Understanding the AQI Scale
To put these numbers in perspective, the CPCB uses the following categories to define air quality:
- Good: 0 to 50
- Satisfactory: 51 to 100
- Moderate: 101 to 200
- Poor: 201 to 300
- Very Poor: 301 to 400
- Severe: 401 to 500