Delhi is grappling with a further deterioration in air quality, edging closer to the “severe plus” category, which could prompt the reintroduction of the odd-even car rationing system in the capital. At 7 am, the city’s air quality index (AQI) measured 437, worsening from 419 at 4 pm on Thursday. The 24-hour average AQI, recorded at 4 pm daily, showed a progression from 401 on Wednesday to 397 on Tuesday, 358 on Monday, 218 on Sunday, 220 on Saturday, and 279 on Friday. The relatively improved air quality over the weekend is attributed to rainfall.
The surge in air pollution is attributed to intense firecracker activity on Diwali night and a resurgence in stubble burning in neighboring states. Unfavorable meteorological conditions, characterized by calm winds and low temperatures, have further compounded the issue by hindering the dispersion of pollutants. Notably, nearby areas such as Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Greater Noida, Noida, and Faridabad have also recorded very poor to severe air quality levels.
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai had previously indicated the potential reinstatement of the odd-even car rationing measure if the AQI surpasses the 450-mark. The scheme, employed four times since 2016, involves allowing cars to operate on alternate days based on the odd or even last digit of their registration numbers. The last implementation of this measure occurred in 2019.
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