New Delhi: Delhi's air quality deteriorated to the 'poor' category on Saturday with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 209, forcing Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to invoke stage I of the Graded Response Action Plan in Delhi-NCR. The AQI was 161 in the 'moderate' category a day earlier.The measures under stage I are preventive and focus on the stringent enforcement of existing guidelines. It has been implemented in Delhi-NCR for the seventh time this year. GRAP's stage I was in force for the entire winter season (2024-25), with the CAQM lifting it finally on March 3. However, it was again enforced in NCR from March 7 to March 15, followed by the periods from March 24 to 29; from April 2 to May 1; from May 16 to 18 and May 21 to 23.After the rain spell has been over, the air quality deteriorated in the absence of strong winds blowing in the city. Experts said ground-level ozone is one of the lead pollutants now."The AQI of Delhi has shown an increasing trend. Further, the forecast by IMD/IITM also predicts AQI to mainly remain in the 'poor' category in the coming days. Actions under Stage-I of GRAP shall be implemented, monitored, and reviewed by all the agencies concerned in the entire NCR to ensure that the AQI levels do not slip further," said CAQM. It asked all agencies to keep strict vigil and intensify measures of the GRAP schedule.The measures under stage I include intensifying the use of anti-smog guns, water sprinkling, and dust suppression measures in road construction, widening or repair projects, and maintenance activities, and strict vigilance and enforcement of PUC norms for vehicles. Other measures include enforcing a complete ban on coal or firewood in tandoors in hotels, restaurants, and open eateries; enforcing orders of NGT and Supreme Court on overage vehicles; enforcing courts or tribunal orders regarding the ban on firecrackers; and ensuring that diesel generator sets are not used as a regular source of power supply.Meanwhile, as dry conditions are expected to prevail, the mercury is likely to rise over the next few days. It is expected to reach 42-44 degrees Celsius by June 10. "Dust-raising winds at the speed of 20-30 kmph are likely to blow in the city from Sunday to Tuesday," said a Met official.The maximum temperature was recorded at 39.8 degrees Celsius at Safdarjung on Saturday. (The minimum temperature settled at 26.3 degrees Celsius.
