The Commission for Air Quality Management on Wednesday revoked Stage 2 restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan in Delhi and the National Capital Region after air quality improved marginally amid favourable weather conditions.
Stage 2 restrictions had been in force since October 19.
In an order issued on Wednesday evening, the commission said Delhi’s Air Quality Index was recorded at 214 at 4 pm, an improvement from Tuesday’s 249. Both recordings were in the “poor” category.
The commission also said that air quality forecasts provided by the India Meteorological Department and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology suggest that in coming days, the AQI may remain in the “moderate” to “poor” category.
Based on this review, it decided to revoke the Stage 2 measures that are imposed when the air quality is in the “very poor” category.
The statement added that anti-pollution measures under Stage 1 will continue to be implemented to ensure that AQI levels do not deteriorate further.
Stage 1 of GRAP, activated when the AQI falls between 201 and 300, focuses on preventive steps such as strict dust control at construction sites, mechanised road sweeping and water sprinkling, proper waste disposal and intensified checks on polluting vehicles and industries.
Air quality deteriorates sharply in the winter months in Delhi, which is often ranked the world’s most polluted capital. Stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana, vehicular pollution, along with the lighting of firecrackers during Diwali, falling temperatures, decreased wind speeds and emissions from industries and coal-fired plants contribute to the problem.
As of 9.05 am on Thursday, the average AQI in Delhi was 164, which is in the “moderate” category, according to data from the Sameer application.
On Wednesday, the average AQI stood at 215, which is in the “poor” category, showed the application, which provides hourly updates from the Central Pollution Control Board.
An index value between 0 and 50 indicates “good” air quality, between 51 and 100 indicates “satisfactory” air quality and between 101 and 200 indicates “moderate” air quality. As the index value increases further, air quality deteriorates. A value of 201 and 300 means “poor” air quality, while between 301 and 400 indicates “very poor” air.
Between 401 and 450 indicates “severe” air pollution, while anything above the 450 threshold is termed “severe plus”.
Stage 3 restrictions had been imposed on January 16 after air quality slipped into the “very poor” category. A day later, Stage 4 measures were enforced when air quality deteriorated further into the “severe” category. The Stage 3 restrictions were revoked on January 22.
The cities adjoining the capital also reported “moderate” air quality levels on Thursday. Noida recorded an AQI of 173, Greater Noida 181, Ghaziabad 199 and Gurugram 144.
Light rain was recorded in parts of Delhi-NCR on Wednesday. The minimum temperature was 15.8 degrees Celsius, 4.8 degrees Celsius above the seasonal average. The maximum temperature was 21.1 degrees Celsius, 3.3 degrees Celsius below normal.
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