NEW DELHI: Delhi's air quality remained in the 'poor' category on Tuesday morning, with a thin layer of smog enveloping several parts of the city as reported by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 274 as of 8am.
As per the data collected by CPCB at 8am, the Air Quality Index (AQI) reported in Anand Vihar was at 294, 235 at ITO, 256 at IGI Airport (T3), 250 at Chandani Chowk and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, 277 at Okhla Phase-2, and 298 at both Punjabi Bagh and Wazirpur, all falling under the 'poor' category.
The AQI scale categorises readings as follows: 0-50 as good, 51-100 as satisfactory, 101-200 as moderate, 201-300 as poor, 301-400 as very poor, and 401-500 as severe.
On Monday, the Supreme Court declined to ease GRAP-IV measures aimed at reducing Delhi's air pollution, scheduling the next hearing on this matter for a later date.
Justices Abhay S Oka and AG Masih highlighted that NCR states—Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh—failed to compensate construction workers as directed. They mandated virtual attendance of these states' Chief Secretaries at the next hearing, noting that action typically begins only when top officials are summoned.
Track pollution levels in your cityThe court stated it would consider relaxations only after seeing consistent improvement in air quality, scheduling the next hearing for Thursday to discuss potential GRAP IV modifications.
Additional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati presented AQI data and suggested GRAP IV relaxations, but the court remained unconvinced due to unstable AQI readings.
The court instructed CAQM to communicate mitigation measures to relevant authorities and coordinate implementation efforts. It noted concerning findings from court commissioners' reports, highlighting poor coordination between MCD, Delhi police, DPCC and other authorities, emphasising CAQM's responsibility in coordinating these entities.
The court also ordered Delhi police to ensure protection for court commissioners who are members of the bar.