Delhi’s air quality continues to remain in ‘very poor’ category, residents raise health concerns

Sun Dec 01 04:21:57 UTC 2024: ## Delhi Chokes on ‘Very Poor’ Air Quality, AQI Reaches 316

**New Delhi, December 1, 2024** – A thick smog blanketed Delhi on Sunday, plunging the national capital into a severe air pollution crisis. The Air Quality Index (AQI) reached a concerning 316, firmly placing the city in the “very poor” category, according to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR).

Several areas recorded AQI levels exceeding 300, including Vivek Vihar (338), Anand Vihar (346), and Bawana (332). Even areas registering “poor” AQI levels, such as Lodhi Road (256) and Pusa (289), experienced significantly degraded air quality.

Residents voiced their frustrations and concerns. Vishal Guleria, a Delhi resident, described the situation as “hard to breathe,” noting the particularly difficult conditions for children and the elderly. He urged the government for immediate solutions and encouraged carpooling and other mitigation measures. Other residents echoed these sentiments, calling for long-term sustainable solutions and government action.

The Supreme Court, while refusing to relax the stringent curbs imposed under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)-IV, directed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to consider easing restrictions for educational institutions, acknowledging the challenges faced by students regarding mid-day meals, online access, and air purifiers. GRAP-IV was implemented last week after the AQI surpassed 450.

The severe air pollution continues to impact daily life, prompting calls for urgent action from both citizens and the government. The situation underscores the urgent need for comprehensive, long-term solutions to tackle Delhi’s recurring air pollution problem.