After days of poor air quality, the national capital on Saturday recorded an AQI of 190 as of 8 a.m., placing it in the moderate category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board. The reading indicates a marginal improvement in air quality.
The city’s air quality had deteriorated after Dussehra celebrations, as smoke and unfavourable weather conditions contributed to rising pollution levels. Stage I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has been invoked across Delhi-NCR after the AQI entered the poor category earlier this week. The AQI was recorded at 223 at 7 am on Friday.
Amid concerns over deteriorating air quality, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa has directed officials to prepare hotspot-specific action plans to tackle pollution. Under these plans, pollution sources will be identified, responsibilities will be assigned to relevant agencies, and deadlines will be set for corrective measures.
At a review meeting, Sirsa asked officials to use AQI monitoring data to identify local sources of pollution, including road dust, heavy traffic, construction activities, unauthorised parking and waste burning.
“Our approach is clear: identify the source of pollution and act at the spot. Every department must have a clear action plan, a deadline and accountability for results,” Sirsa said.
According to data provided by the state government, transport accounts for 20.3 per cent of Delhi’s air pollution, followed by residential sources, industrial emissions and construction. Energy contributed 2 per cent, while waste burning accounted for 1.8 per cent and road dust for 1.4 per cent.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Traffic Police held an in-district coordination meeting to review measures under Stage I of GRAP. During the meeting, authorities discussed restricing the entry of non-compliant buses at Delhi’s borders, collecting vehicle entry fee from November 1, checking pollution certificates and curbing road dust caused by construction-related pollution.
Sirsa also called for better coordination between the traffic police and other agencies to regulate the movement of heavy vehicles responsible for major pollution. He urged residents to avoid burning garbage, refrain from dumping waste on roads, keep vehicle pollution under control, ensure their pollution certificates remain valid, and opt for public transport or carpooling.
Stage I restrictions are in pla across Delhi-NCR as authorities step up measures to control pollution. The restrictions focus on dust control, construction and demolition activities, waste management and vehicle emissions.