Season's 1st Stage-1 pollution curbs activated in Delhi as AQI hits 'poor'

With Delhi's air quality slipping into the 'poor' category, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Tuesday invoked this season's first Stage-1 restrictions of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the National Capital Region (NCR) to prevent further deterioration in pollution levels.

- AIMAN FATIMA

The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was recorded at 211 on October 14, falling in the 'poor' category, according to data reviewed by the CAQM Sub-Committee. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) have also predicted that air quality is likely to remain in the same range over the next few days.

Following the review, the CAQM directed the immediate enforcement of all actions under Stage-1 of GRAP. "The Sub-Committee, accordingly, decides to invoke all actions under Stage-I ('Poor' Air Quality) of the extant GRAP in the entire NCR, with immediate effect," the commission stated.