Delhi's Air Quality Shows Mild Gain, Still Unsafe To Breathe

On Monday morning, Delhi's air quality showed a minor improvement after hitting the ‘Very Poor’ category with an index value of 391 on the previous day. 

However, this slight improvement still does not make the air quality better to breathe. People in Delhi woke up seeing a thick blanket of smog, followed by a drop in the temperature to 11.6 degrees Celsius. 

The overall AQI of the capital city stood at 346 at 6:05 AM on Monday. 

Among the monitored stations recording the highest pollution levels were Bawana( highest AQI 412), Jahangirpuri at 394, and Nehru Nagar at 386. 

A day earlier, out of 39, more than 20 monitoring stations slipped to the severe category, with AQI levels rising above 400. 

According to experts, elevated wind speeds have contributed to a slight decrease in air pollutants.

In NCR, the places falling into the 'Very Poor' category were Noida (AQI 302), Greater Noida (AQI 314), and Ghaziabad (AQI 304). 

On Sunday evening, the CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management) sub-committee on the GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan) discussed the city's air quality index, which is showing no improvement and remains in the poor range.

Watch the latest visual posted by ANI on Delhi's toxic smog

Delhi’s Air Quality To Remain In The Same Category: IMD & IITM

IMD (India Meteorological Department) and IITM (Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology) have forecasted that the air quality of India's capital will remain in the same category in the coming days.

Noticing improvement in air quality, the sub-committee ruled to hold Stage 3 GRAP measures but continues Stages 1 and 2.

Whereas Stage 3 would ban constructions that are not necessarily important. Classes up to grade V will be shifted to hybrid mode, restricting older vehicles and offering relief for persons with disabilities.

Protests At India Gate

Meanwhile, on Sunday afternoon, many working professionals and students gathered at India Gate to protest the government's failure to tackle rising air pollution levels. Protestors detained by the Delhi Police emphasised the air emergency and demanded clean air for children.