Delhi: Despite anti-pollution measures under Phase 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), Delhi continues to experience ‘very poor’ air with the air quality index (AQI) at 345 at 7 am on Sunday, December 1.
For the first time in years, not a single day this November recorded AQI in the ‘poor’ or any better category, according to an analysis of air quality data cited in an India Today report.
Of the 30 days, two were classified under the ‘severe plus’ category, the most dangerous AQI level. Six days were categorized as ‘severe’, while the remaining 22 days fell in the ‘very poor’ category.
According to the city’s air quality early warning system, the AQI is likely to remain in the ‘very poor’ category for the next three days.
An AQI between zero and 50 is considered “good,” between 51 and 100 “satisfactory,” between 101 and 200 “moderate,” between 201 and 300 “poor,” between 301 and 400 “very poor,” and Between 401 and 500 are considered “severe.”
The lowest AQI was recorded at Lodhi Road station, where the AQI was 246, although according to CPCB data, most of the stations recorded AQI above 300.
A resident told news agency ANI that health is also deteriorating due to pollution.
“Our eyes are burning… it is becoming difficult to breathe with each passing day. Pollution has increased a lot. There is barely any visibility; It is becoming difficult to live here with each passing day.”
Delhi government has implemented Phase 4 of its Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-4). On Thursday, the Supreme Court refused to relax the emergency measures and ordered that they remain in effect until December 2.
