Sharp drop in the city’s pollution recorded...
Strong winds and scattered rain contributed to a sharp drop in pollution levels in the Capital on Thursday, with Delhi registering an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 119 (moderate) at 4 p.m., according to the Central Pollution Control Board's national bulletin — the city's best air day in nearly five months.
According to CPCB data, Delhi's air quality on Wednesday was 213 (poor) and 173 (moderate) on Tuesday.
This winter, Delhi's air has been in the moderate zone on several occasions, including seven out of nine days in March. The city did, however, have a better air day on October 11, 2022, when it was 66 degrees (satisfactory).
The sharp reduction in pollution levels prompted the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to lift all curbs under the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap) from across the National Capital Region (NCR) with immediate effect.
CAQM said in a statement, “The overall AQI of Delhi has significantly improved from the level of 213 (poor) on March 8, 2023 to 119 (moderate) on Thursday, March 9, 2023. Delhi’s AQI has also generally remained in the moderate category so far in March except on Wednesday.”
The forecasts from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated that currently there is no indication of an increase in AQI over the next few days. "As a result, the Sub-Committee considered revoking the orders under Stage 1 of Grap with immediate effect across the entire NCR," the statement said
An official of CAQM however said that It stated that forecasts from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) do not currently indicate an increase in AQI over the next few days. "As a result, the Sub-Committee considered revoking the orders under Stage 1 of Grap with immediate effect across the entire NCR," the statement said.
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