×

Delhi air pollution: AQI deteriorates to 'very poor' category; SC to decide on relaxing GRAP today

SC had said GRAP IV restrictions will not be relaxed until there is a consistent drop in AQI levels. Delhi police deploys additional personnel for effective implementation of restrictions

(File) Representational image

After a brief breather, Delhi’s air quality deteriorated to ‘very poor’ category on Thursday morning. The Supreme Court will hear pleas regarding measures to curb pollution in the national capital today.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board, the national capital’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 313 at 9am on Thursday, compared to an AQI score of 301 on Wednesday morning. As per the pollution board data, none of the 38 air quality monitoring stations recorded AQI in the severe category.

Delhi continues to be blanketed with a thick layer of haze, while the  IMD has forecast mainly clear sky during the day and maximum temperature is expected to hover around 26 degrees Celsius, PTI reported.

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.

Hearing pleas to curb pollution in the national capital, the Supreme Court on Monday directed the Commission for Air Quality Management to consider reopening schools and colleges as many students were dependent on mid-day meals. The Court also directed CAQM to take action against authorities for poor implementation of GRAP IV regulations.

The Court refused to relax GRAP IV regulations on the day and said it would be considered only when there is a consistent drop in AQI levels. The Court also ordered the state governments to utilise labour cess funds to provide subsistence to daily wagers affected by the ban on construction works.

The Delhi police has deployed additional personnel to ensure strict implementation of GRAP IV regulations.