Delhi-NCR Imposes GRAP Stage-I As Dust Impacts Air Quality

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has imposed Stage-I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR with immediate effect, after air quality deteriorated into the “Poor” category on Friday, May 16. The Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 278, driven largely by dust, prompting urgent measures to curb pollution, according to an official release.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) noted on Thursday that dust storms originating from North Pakistan have travelled towards Delhi-NCR via Punjab and Haryana, contributing significantly to the spike in pollution levels. The GRAP Sub-Committee convened on May 15 and 16 to review the situation and recommend actions.

The AQI scale categorises air quality from zero to 50 as “Good”, 51 to 100 “Satisfactory”, 101 to 200 “Moderate”, 201 to 300 “Poor”, 301 to 400 “Very Poor”, and 401 to 500 “Severe”. Delhi’s current AQI of 278 falls firmly within the “Poor” bracket, signalling cause for concern.

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