After three days of air pollution levels in the severe category, air quality in Delhi improved slightly on Wednesday as the air quality index dropped one notch to very poor.
While the Central Pollution Control Board showed an AQI of 384, in the very poor category, the Delhi government held a meeting to review the implementation of Graded Response Action Plan, which includes emergency measures to be taken in case of high pollution.
At a meeting of all stakeholders, Environment Minister Imran Hussain was informed by officials that the main reasons for the prevailing pollution levels were the low temperature and wind speed, a government statement said. Officials also said that with wind speed forecast to increase, the AQI is likely to improve in the coming days. The AQI had reached severe levels starting December 23 till the afternoon of Tuesday.
Mr. Hussain said there was need to increase pollution-control measures, including prevention of burning of waste, sprinkling of water on roads, covering construction sites and controlling emissions from industries and vehicles. The Minister directed the municipal corporations to increase enforcement at construction sites, the statement said. He also told officials of the Revenue Department, municipal corporations and Civil Defence to depute joint teams for each district to monitor construction activity.
