Amid rising concerns over the deteroriating air quality in several parts of the country, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Thursday said that in order to curb air pollution, we need "drastic measures" now.
According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR)-India, the overall air quality in the national capital is in the 'poor' category with an AQI of 286.
The overall air quality in the national capital continued to remain in the 'very poor' category, with the overall AQI at 303 on Tuesday morning, as per SAFAR-India.
"We have spoken to the environment ministers of the surrounding states and they have assured that they will take action on stubble burning... Due to Diwali, stubble and Dussehra, the next 10 to 15 days are very crucial for Delhi..." Rai said.
For the periods between January-May (during the eight years i.e. from 2016 to 2023), Delhi registers its best air quality during the current year (barring the periods of very low anthropogenic, industrial and commercial activities during the year 2020 due to Covid-19 lockdown).
The dusty winds blowing from the west including Thar and Pakistan have played a significant role in increasing the Air Quality Index (AQI) level and Particulate Matter (PM10) of Delhi, said a government release on Thursday.
Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi is expected to remain in the 'poor' category and Stage I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) shall remain in force.
According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), the conditions are expected to worsen further to the 'very poor' in the next few days.
Even though the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital deteriorated, the sub-committee for invoking actions under GRAP of CAQM decided that there is no need for invoking the stage III of GRAP at this moment, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change informed
The Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and adjoining areas, following its meeting on January 15, has decided to revoke its January 6 order where it had imposed several restrictions under stage III of GRAP, under which all non-essential construction and demol
With slight rains in several parts of the national capital, Delhites had some respite from the chilling cold on Friday morning with the temperature recorded at 12 degrees Celcius and moderate fog conditions.