Delhi's Air Turns 'Poor'! Rules Issued in the Capital the Day after Dussehra to Control Pollution - Here Are the Regulations to Follow

At around 2 PM on Wednesday, the average Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi reached 244. All relevant agencies have been instructed to implement the designated measures set in place to mitigate air pollution across the capital and its adjoining areas.

The level of 'poison' in Delhi's air has risen once again. On Wednesday, immediately after a night of Dussehra celebrations, the capital's air quality dropped into the 'poor' category. To tackle the situation, the highest level of restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan Stage 1 (GRAP-1) has been enforced in Delhi. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) issued a directive regarding this on Wednesday afternoon.

According to the notification, Delhi's air quality is 'poor', prompting the immediate imposition of restrictions. At around 2 PM on Wednesday, Delhi recorded an average AQI of 244. The directive referenced the revised GRAP schedule released on September 29. All concerned agencies have been directed to enforce the designated measures for air pollution mitigation throughout the capital and surrounding regions.

Delhi's Environment Minister, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, urged residents via a post on X (formerly Twitter) to comply with the GRAP-1 restrictions. Additionally, he encouraged the public to inform the administration if they observe any violations of the pollution norms. On Tuesday, Delhi's average AQI stood at 179. Within a few hours, the AQI surged to 244. At this stage, the government implements GRAP-1 to attempt to bring the situation under control. The Environment Minister stated, "I have instructed all relevant departments to intensify action against dust, waste burning, and polluting vehicles. Every citizen must play their part."

According to data provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi's average AQI was 238 at 10 AM on Wednesday. As per CPCB standards, an AQI between 0 and 50 is categorized as 'Good', 51–100 as 'Satisfactory', 101–200 as 'Moderate', 201–300 as 'Poor', 301–400 as 'Very Poor', and 401–500 as 'Severe'.

While these restrictions are active, several measures must be taken in Delhi. These include regular sweeping and sprinkling of water on roads to suppress dust, as well as strict dust control measures at construction sites. Proper waste disposal must also be ensured. Furthermore, instructions have been given to take strict action against polluting vehicles.