Delhi's air quality remains 'very poor' to 'hazardous'

On Monday, New Delhi continued to suffer from poor air quality, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) fluctuating between 385 and 428, placing the city in the hazardous to severe range, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Areas such as Akshardham Temple, ITO, India Gate, and Janpath recorded AQI levels of 349, 335, 335, and 335 respectively, all falling under the Very Poor category.

Other cities like Rohini, Alipur, Vivek Vihar, and Narela had AQI readings of 396, 375, 370, and 363 respectively, also in the Very Poor range.

The Delhi Environment Minister, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, reported that enforcement teams were actively checking vehicles, verifying Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCC) compliance, and inspecting construction sites to curb pollution. On November 1, Sirsa's teams checked 14,930 vehicles, issuing 566 challans for PUCC violations and inspecting 300 sites.

Delhi Traffic Police have intensified enforcement of restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). On November 1, they checked 7,279 vehicles, turning back 714 and impounding 38. The department has also used print media, social media, radio, and distributed pamphlets to raise public awareness. Coordination meetings with police officials from neighboring districts were held to ensure effective implementation of the restrictions.