Air Quality in Delhi Remains ‘Severe’; Kejriwal calls high-level meeting today

Digital Desk: Delhi continues to be covered in a thick layer of haze as the air quality is still classified as "severe", according to statistics released on Monday by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The national capital has had "severe" air quality for the past four days in a row. At nine in the morning, Delhi's total Air Quality Index (AQI) was 437, according to CPCB data.

A high-level meeting regarding the pollution situation in the nation's capital was chaired by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Senior representatives from relevant departments, including transportation, MCD, Delhi Police, and Delhi Traffic Police, were present at the meeting, which began at 12 p.m.

The meeting will cover the execution of Stage IV of the Center's Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which was activated in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) on Sunday. During the meeting, further emergency protocols for the entire city are probably to be discussed.

The anti-pollution plan's last phase is initiated at least three days before Delhi's AQI exceeds the 450 mark. However, proactive implementation was not possible this time.

Additionally, at 478 in Bawana, 459 in Dwarka Sector 8, 475 in Jahangirpuri, 466 in Mundka, 460 in Narela, 444 in New Moti Bagh, 446 in Okhla Phase-2, 469 in Punjabi Bagh, 462 in RK Puram, 478 in Rohini, 430 in Siri Fort, and 482 in Wazirpur were among the locations where the AQI was recorded at 9 am.

Both Noida and Gurugram's air quality remained in the "severe" category.