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Delhi Air Quality Stagnant Despite Anti-Pollution Plan
23 Oct
Summary
- Delhi's winter air quality shows no consistent improvement over four years.
- The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has not led to steady air quality gains.
- Government data indicates fluctuating AQI, with recent winters showing poorer conditions.
Analysis of government data indicates a lack of consistent improvement in Delhi's winter air quality over the last four years. Despite the implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), the Air Quality Index (AQI) has fluctuated without a steady downward trend. The mean AQI rose from 280 in winter 2022-23 to 304 in 2023-24, before falling and then rising again.
The GRAP, a four-stage plan based on pollution levels, has not achieved steady air quality gains. Experts note that meteorological factors like lower wind speeds and falling temperatures exacerbate pollution each winter, along with stubble burning and firecracker emissions.
Meanwhile, Delhi's air quality remained in the 'poor' category on Thursday, with the 24-hour average AQI at 223. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) recently held meetings with Punjab and Haryana to discuss measures against stubble burning and other pollution sources, emphasizing prompt action and effective resource utilization.
