New Delhi: Delhi woke up to a relatively clearer sky on Saturday morning, offering residents a short-lived respite from weeks of choking smog and hazardous pollution levels. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the city’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 235 at 8 am, placing it in the ‘poor’ category, marking a significant improvement from Thursday’s alarming reading of 380, which was classified as ‘very poor’.
The improvement was largely attributed to strong surface winds of 15–20 km/h, which dispersed suspended particulate matter and pollutants, creating slightly more breathable conditions for the city’s residents. Nine monitoring stations in Delhi recorded air quality in the moderate category, including Mandir Marg (128), Bawana (145), and IGI Airport T3 (148). However, pockets of the city still experienced extremely poor air, with Jahangirpuri recording the worst AQI at 309, followed by Nehru Nagar (297) and Sirifort (289).
Short-Lived Respite: AQEWS Forecast
Despite the improvement, authorities cautioned that the relief is likely to be temporary. The Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS) has forecast that Delhi’s air quality is expected to deteriorate sharply from Sunday through Tuesday, returning to the very poor category. The bulletin further indicated that the city could experience at least eight consecutive days of very poor air beginning Sunday, warning residents to take necessary precautions.
“This temporary improvement is due to surface winds and weather conditions, but the outlook for the next six days shows that air quality is likely to remain in the very poor category,” the AQEWS stated.
GRAP Stage-3 Measures Rolled Back
In response to the improvement, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) revoked Stage-III measures of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on Friday evening. Stage-3 curbs are usually enforced when AQI levels exceed 400 and involve strict restrictions on construction, vehicular movement, and industrial activity.
The rollback, however, does not mean the relaxation of all measures. Authorities clarified that Stage-I and Stage-II measures will remain in force, ensuring that preventive and regulatory actions continue to mitigate further deterioration in air quality. Citizens are urged to follow the guidelines prescribed under these stages, which include restrictions on firecrackers, burning of crop residue, and industrial emissions.
Curbs Lifted with Stage-3 Revocation
The rollback of Stage-3 has led to the immediate resumption of certain activities, including:
- Private construction and demolition activities, which were previously restricted.
- Mining and allied operations, previously suspended under Stage-3.
- Operation of older vehicles, including BS-3 petrol and BS-4 diesel vehicles, which can now move within the city.
- Removal of other vehicular restrictions enforced under Stage-3.
The CAQM justified the revocation by citing the prevailing trend of improving air quality. “The AQI of Delhi, which was recorded at 380 yesterday, has significantly improved and recorded 236 today at 4 pm, exhibiting a declining trend,” the commission stated.
Stage-2 restrictions, however, remain active, including the prohibition of interstate buses from NCR states—except electric, CNG, or BS-6 diesel vehicles—from entering Delhi.
Weather Factors: Cold Wave and Fog
The temporary improvement in air quality coincides with strong northwesterly winds clearing fog and dispersing pollutants. However, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for moderate to dense fogover the weekend, indicating that visibility may remain low in early mornings and evenings.
Icy-cold winds are also expected to drive a sustained drop in minimum temperatures, with Friday’s minimum temperature at 9.1°C, two degrees above normal, forecasted to hover between 6–8°C on Saturday and Sunday. Mahesh Palawat, Vice President at Skymet Weather, noted, “We are now seeing cold northwesterly winds blow and wind speed should remain consistent for another 1–2 days. Minimum temperatures will continue falling as no western disturbance is expected until the second week of January.”
This cold wave, combined with stagnant atmospheric conditions over the coming week, is likely to trap pollutants near the surface, worsening air quality once again.
Health Advisory and Precautions
Even with the short-term improvement, Delhi’s air quality remains in the poor category, posing risks to children, the elderly, and people with respiratory conditions. Authorities advise residents to:
- Limit outdoor activities, particularly in the early morning and late evening.
- Use air purifiers indoors where possible.
- Wear N95 or equivalent masks when stepping outdoors.
- Avoid burning waste or using firecrackers.
- Stay updated with government advisories regarding vehicular movement and industrial emissions.
Experts emphasise that the temporary drop in AQI should not be taken as a permanent improvement, as winter weather conditions and dense fog could reverse gains quickly.
Conclusion
Delhi’s brief improvement in air quality on Friday and Saturday, aided by strong surface winds, has allowed authorities to roll back Stage-3 GRAP restrictions, offering relief for construction, industrial activity, and vehicular movement. However, with forecasts indicating a return to very poor air quality from Sunday onwards and cold northwesterly winds combined with dense fog, the city is likely to face persistent pollution challenges over the next week.
Authorities continue to urge citizens to adhere to preventive measures, while monitoring air quality closely to implement Stage-2 or Stage-3 restrictions if necessary, highlighting the ongoing struggle to balance public health, economic activity, and seasonal weather patterns in the National Capital.
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