Delhi air quality today: AQI slips to ‘very poor’; Stage III GRAP restrictions imposed

New Delhi: Air quality across the national capital has once again plummeted into the "very poor" category, with several local monitoring stations reporting "severe" levels as a combination of dense fog and calm winds traps pollutants over the city.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported that Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 305 early Friday, a sharp increase from the 234 recorded on Thursday afternoon. By Saturday morning, visibility remained low as a thick blanket of smog enveloped major landmarks. Localised data showed severe readings of 410 in both the Anand Vihar and Akshardham areas, while the ITO district recorded a "very poor" level of 379. In contrast, the Dhaula Kuan area saw slightly better, though still "poor," conditions with an AQI of 252.

In response to the deteriorating conditions, the Commission for Air Quality Management has activated Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The emergency measures include strict bans on non-essential construction and specific industrial activities. Authorities have also stepped up enforcement of the "No PUC, No Fuel" policy at petrol pumps to curb vehicular emissions.

Health experts are advising residents—particularly children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions—to avoid prolonged outdoor activities and wear protective masks. The pollution crisis has also extended into neighbouring regions, with dense fog and intensifying cold waves reported in districts like Karnal and Sirsa.

Amid the environmental crisis, the Delhi Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, announced two major initiatives aimed at long-term ecological restoration. The government has cleared an allocation of Rs 100 crore to rejuvenate 160 water bodies under its direct jurisdiction, out of roughly 1,000 such sites across the city.

"The rejuvenation of Delhi's water bodies will play a crucial role in pollution control," stated Manjinder Singh Sirsa, the city's Environment Minister. He added that the Chief Minister has ordered the project to be fast-tracked for completion within the year.

The Cabinet also approved the development of India’s first "E-Waste Eco Park" on an 11.5-acre site in Holambi Kalan. Designed as a zero-waste facility, the park will feature advanced water recirculation and recycling systems to prevent soil and water contamination from discarded electronics. Sirsa described the upcoming facility as a "state-of-the-art" model for sustainable waste management that will operate on entirely circular principles.

With inputs from ANI