Delhi’s AQI falls to ‘poor’ category; GRAP Stage-1 enforced

New Delhi: Air quality in Delhi once again worsened; seeing the gravity of the situation, pollution control authorities once again decided to implement the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage-1 in the national capital on Monday to curb rising air pollution. As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 206, which comes in the ‘poor’ category column.

The pollution levels were in the ‘moderate’ category last week, but it once again deteriorated, and AQI touched 206; it means further decline in the air quality, according to the AQI standards.

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An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 to 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 to 200 ‘moderate’, 201 to 300 ‘poor’, 301 to 400 ‘very poor’, and 401 to 500 ‘severe’.

The authorities have to implement GRAP Stage I due to worsening air quality in the city. It means several restrictions will be implemented on construction activities so that dust pollution can be decreased.

Besides high pollution levels, Delhiites have been facing the rising mercury, which was recorded at 36°C, 4.5 degrees above normal; however, the minimum temperature was 15.2°C, as per the IMD.

Experts advise people to take all the precautionary measures to keep themselves safe from pollution-related diseases. Children and senior citizens have been urged to remain indoors, use masks in public places, and follow guidelines to help control air quality.