Delhi’s air quality remains in ‘severe’ category; Delhi CM calls emergency meeting

New Delhi:A thick layer of pollutants continued to engulf the national capital as the air quality remained in the ‘severe’ category for the fifth consecutive day on Monday.

 As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) the overall air quality index level of the national capital stood at 432 at 11:30 a.m.

AQI in Delhi University recorded an AQI of 473, while the airport at Terminal 3 noted an AQI of 559, Noida at 616, IIT Delhi at 517, and Gurugram at 516, all in the ‘critical’ range, as per SAFAR data at 7 am.

Areas like Pusa and Lodhi Road recorded AQI levels of 407 and 450, respectively, both categorized as ‘severe’ category. As per Central Pollution Control Board data, AQI recorded at Jawaharlal Nehru stadium was 409.

Meanwhile, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Sunday invoked Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the entire National Capital Region (NCR) with immediate effect to prevent further deterioration of air quality.

Under Stage IV of GRAP, only CNG, electric, and BS VI-compliant vehicles from other states are permitted entry, with exemptions for essential services.

The Commission also directed Delhi and NCR states to implement restrictions, including a ban on construction work for linear public projects and allowing 50% of government and private office staff to work from home.

As per an analysis conducted by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), the capital witnessed the highest levels of pollution between November 1 and November 15, coinciding with the spike in stubble-burning incidents in Punjab and Haryana.

Due to worsening air quality, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has called a high-level meeting today at 12:00 pm to discuss the city’s worsening air pollution crisis.

 The meeting will be attended by Delhi’s Environment Minister Gopal Rai and officials of all concerned departments. The meeting comes at a time when the national capital is battling “apocalyptical” air pollution.