Delhi’s AQI remains 'severe' today, restrictions eased 

Delhi's air quality remained in the 'severe' category on Saturday, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 404 recorded this morning.

Delhi air quality stays severe

Several areas of the national city registered AQI levels in the 'severe' range, including ITO (388), RK Puram (433), Lodhi Road (375), Dwarka (439), and Airport (Terminal-3) (423). Anand Vihar, a notoriously polluted area, recorded an AQI of 456.

The Air Quality Index from 0 to 100 is considered 'good', 100 to 200 'moderate', 200 to 300 'poor', 300 to 400 'very poor' and from 400 to 500 or above 'severe'.

Amid the hazardous air quality, Delhiites have been experiencing difficulty breathing and eye irritation.

#WATCH | A layer of haze continues to engulf Delhi in the morning.

(Drone visuals from the DND (Delhi Noida Direct) Flyway shot at 8:15 am ) pic.twitter.com/DW6qfkQ4xd

— ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2023

Restrictions eased in Delhi

Despite the worsening conditions, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) revoked the GRAP 4 restrictions on Saturday, allowing trucks and buses (except for BS-3 and BS-4 petrol and diesel vehicles) to enter the city and lifting the ban on ongoing construction activities. Restrictions under stages 1 to 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) remain in place.

On Friday, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai attributed the rise in pollution to vehicle emissions (36%) and biomass burning. To address these issues, the government has issued GRAP 3 rules to control vehicle pollution and directed relevant organizations, including MCD, Revenue, DDA, and NDMC, to closely monitor biomass burning and prevent fires in parks.

#WATCH | Delhi: Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai says, "Some increase in the pollution of Delhi has been noted. We had a meeting regarding it. The incidents of stubble burning are very few now, and the level of pollution is still increasing. Scientists reported 2-3 factors… pic.twitter.com/Im1NdDvSlk

— ANI (@ANI) November 24, 2023

"Some increase in the pollution of Delhi has been noted. We had a meeting regarding it. The incidents of stubble burning are very few now, and the level of pollution is still increasing. Scientists reported 2-3 factors for this. The first is that vehicle pollution's contribution is 36%. The second factor is biomass burning. We made some major decisions after seeing this. To control vehicle pollution, we issued the rules of GRAP 3. To control biomass burning, we have directed the related organisations to monitor this especially. especially the MCD, Revenue, DDA, and NDMC, are being given this direction for the fires that are breaking out at various places in the parks," Gopal Rai said.