A layer of smog engulfed several areas of the national capital on Tuesday, as Delhi’s air quality remained in the ‘poor’ category. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded an overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of 274 at 8 a.m., indicating a significant drop in visibility across key locations such as Akshardham Temple, ITO, Anand Vihar, and Delhi-Noida Direct Flyway.
AQI Levels Across Major Areas
- Anand Vihar: 294
- ITO: 235
- IGI Airport (T3): 256
- Chandni Chowk and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium: 250
- Okhla Phase-2: 277
- Punjabi Bagh and Wazirpur: 298
According to CPCB, AQI levels between 201-300 fall in the ‘poor’ category, which can cause breathing discomfort to most people, particularly those with pre-existing health conditions.
Supreme Court Upholds GRAP-IV Measures
The Supreme Court has declined to relax measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) IV aimed at curbing air pollution in Delhi-NCR. A bench comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and A.G. Masih highlighted the lack of compliance by states such as Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh in paying compensation to construction workers affected by GRAP restrictions.
The Court directed the Chief Secretaries of these states to attend the next hearing virtually. “When we summon top officials, the ball starts rolling,” observed the bench.
Key Directives from the Supreme Court
- On GRAP-IV: Relaxation will be considered only after a consistent downward trend in AQI levels.
- On Coordination: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has been instructed to improve coordination among Delhi’s municipal bodies, the Delhi Police, and the DPCC.
- On Enforcement: Delhi Police must ensure the safety of court-appointed commissioners investigating the implementation of pollution control measures.
Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati presented AQI data and suggestions for easing GRAP-IV measures, but the Court deemed the current air quality too unstable to permit relaxations.
Public and Policy Implications
The current pollution crisis underscores the urgent need for comprehensive measures to improve air quality in Delhi-NCR. Authorities and residents are urged to follow CAQM guidelines and minimize activities that contribute to air pollution, such as vehicle emissions and open burning.