NEW DELHI: The air quality in Delhi plunged into the ‘very poor’ category on Wednesday morning due to a combination of mist, smog, and low wind speed, prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to reintroduce GRAP-3 restrictions with immediate effect. These measures include a ban on construction activities and the operation of BS-3 diesel and BS-4 petrol vehicles across Delhi-NCR.
The Air Quality Index (AQI), measured on a scale of 0 to 500, stood at 349 at 11 AM, worsening to 360 by 3 PM and 379 by 6 PM. Several areas, including Bawana, Anand Vihar, Okhla, Punjabi Bagh, Rohini, Vivek Vihar, and Wazirpur, reported severe pollution levels. The city’s average AQI climbed to 365, a sharp rise from 276 recorded a day earlier. Forecasts indicate that air quality will remain in the ‘very poor’ range over the coming days.
Weather Conditions & Forecast
Delhi’s minimum temperature increased to 6.4°C, two notches below normal, compared to 5.6°C the previous day. The maximum temperature was recorded at 25.5°C, three notches above normal. The IMD predicts a further 2-3°C rise in temperatures over the next few days.
GRAP-3 Measures Activated
With pollution levels worsening, CAQM held a review meeting and, following the Supreme Court’s directive, enforced GRAP-3 as the AQI exceeded the 350 threshold. GRAP-4 measures would be imposed if the AQI crosses 400.
“Given the current trend of worsening air quality, the Sub-Committee has decided to implement Stage-III measures under GRAP across the entire NCR, effective immediately,” stated a CAQM order. “This is in addition to Stages I & II, which are already in force. All relevant agencies, including NCR Pollution Control Boards (PCBs) and the DPCC, have been directed to ensure strict enforcement of these measures.”
The CAQM highlighted that the AQI had shown a sharp upward trend, reaching 365 at 4 PM due to stagnant winds, low atmospheric mixing height, and poor ventilation, which hindered pollutant dispersion.
Pollution Outlook
According to the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), air quality is expected to remain in the ‘very poor’ category from January 30 to February 1, 2025. Meteorological conditions are predicted to be unfavorable for pollutant dispersion, and the outlook for the next six days suggests air quality will fluctuate between ‘very poor’ and ‘poor’ levels.
