New Delhi: Delhi’s air quality showed further improvement on Saturday, slipping into the ‘poor’ category after remaining in the ‘very poor’ range for several days, as the national capital woke up to a chilly and windy morning.
According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board, the city recorded a daily average Air Quality Index of 222, reflecting a steady decline in pollution levels. Among major monitoring stations, Anand Vihar reported an AQI of 248, R K Puram 252, Rohini 270 and Mundka 281. Chandni Chowk registered 272, while ITO recorded 219. Air quality was comparatively better at Bawana and the Indira Gandhi International Airport, which logged AQI readings of 145 and 148 respectively.
Despite the improvement, a thin layer of smog remained visible in parts of central Delhi. Republic Day parade rehearsals continued at India Gate, with security personnel and participants carrying on as scheduled, even as reduced visibility persisted in the area.
The India Meteorological Department said Delhi recorded a temperature of around 10 degrees Celsius on Saturday morning. Fog was observed during the early hours, but weather conditions are expected to improve gradually from Saturday onwards, aided by favourable wind patterns.
In view of the improving air quality, the Sub-Committee on the Graded Response Action Plan of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas revoked Stage III of GRAP on Friday evening. The decision was taken after a sustained improvement in AQI levels due to favourable meteorological conditions.
The government, however, urged citizens to strictly follow the measures prescribed under Stages I and II of GRAP to ensure pollution levels do not worsen again. Authorities clarified that construction and demolition sites closed earlier for violations or non-compliance will not be allowed to resume operations without explicit approval from the Commission.
Officials said the Sub-Committee will continue to closely monitor air quality trends and review the situation periodically, factoring in weather forecasts and AQI projections issued by the IMD and IITM, before taking further decisions.
