Delhi’s air quality saw an improvement on Friday morning, moving into the ‘moderate’ category after several days of poor air quality. The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 170 at 8 am on February 7, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
This improvement comes after a period when the AQI had remained in the poor category. Earlier in the week, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a weather warning for dense fog in isolated areas of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and western Uttar Pradesh, which contributed to the poor air quality in the capital.
The CPCB had previously reported a “poor” AQI level in Delhi due to the foggy conditions. However, the air quality showed signs of improvement, leading to a relaxation of restrictions. On February 3, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) lifted Stage-III restrictions of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region (NCR) after the AQI improved. The AQI on that day was recorded at 286, well below the 350 mark that triggers Stage-III measures, as per Supreme Court directives.
While the restrictions under Stage-III have been lifted, measures under Stage-I and Stage-II of GRAP remain in effect. All responsible agencies have been instructed to monitor the situation closely and intensify enforcement of these measures.
Additionally, construction and demolition sites that have been ordered to shut down due to non-compliance with environmental regulations will not be allowed to resume operations without specific authorization from the commission.
The CAQM warned that if the AQI exceeds 350 again, Stage-III measures would be immediately reinstated, and if it crosses 400, Stage-IV measures would be implemented.