Bad air continues to choke Delhi-NCR: AQI in ‘very poor’ zone at 341; GRAP-4 curbs lifted

DELHI: A dense layer of smog covered Delhi-NCR on Wednesday morning, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at 341 at 7 am, in the 'very poor' category. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported that air quality in several areas fell in the ‘very poor’ to ‘severe’ categories. AQI readings included 312 at India Gate and AIIMS, 372 near ITO, 388 near Motibagh, and 391 in Pandav Nagar. On Tuesday, Delhi’s air quality showed a marginal improvement with the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) settling in the “very poor” category at 378, after staying above 400 for three consecutive days over the weekend. The improvement led authorities to withdraw the GRAP Stage-4 curbs, while restrictions under the first three stages remain in force.According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) Sameer app, 29 stations recorded “very poor” air quality, five were in the “severe” category, and four reported “poor” levels. Wazirpur recorded the highest AQI at 414. On Monday, the city had recorded an average AQI of 395, ending a three-day streak of “severe” pollution, though air quality remained a concern across several monitoring stations.The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) stated that, despite revoking Stage-4 curbs, citizens should continue to adhere to measures under GRAP Stage-1, 2, and 3 to prevent a further deterioration of air quality during the winter season.Station-wise data showed Wazirpur, Anand Vihar, and Jahangirpuri recorded the worst AQI levels at 445, 444, and 443 respectively. The transport sector contributed 11.1% to Delhi’s pollution load, followed by industries in Delhi and neighbouring areas at 8.7%, residential emissions at 2.7%, construction activities at 1.4%, and energy generation at 1%.Among the NCR districts, Sonipat was the largest contributor to pollution (11.3%), followed by Gautam Buddha Nagar (6.2%), Baghpat (5.4%), Muzaffarnagar (4.3%), Panipat (4.1%), Karnal (3.3%), Ghaziabad (2.7%), and Meerut (1.6%).The Air Quality Warning System predicts that Delhi’s air quality is likely to remain in the “very poor” category from Wednesday to Friday.Weather conditions offered little relief. The maximum temperature on Tuesday was recorded at 25.7°C, above normal by 6.1°C, while the minimum was 7.2°C, slightly below normal. Station-wise, Palam recorded 22.6°C (max) and 8.8°C (min), Lodi Road 25.2°C and 7.6°C, Ridge 25.5°C and 9°C, and Ayanagar 25°C and 8°C. No rainfall was recorded at any station.For Wednesday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a minimum temperature of around 7°C and a maximum of 24°C with moderate fog. Isolated to scattered light or moderate rainfall is expected from Thursday to Saturday, accompanied by thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds of 30–40 kmph over Delhi, Haryana, and Chandigarh.(With agency Inputs)