Delhi’s air quality witnessed a significant improvement as the Supreme Court allowed the relaxation of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage IV measures on Thursday. This decision came after the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) confirmed that stringent Stage IV measures were no longer necessary. The Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded in Delhi dropped to 161, classified as ‘moderate,’ a notable recovery from the ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ levels post-Diwali. Persistent smog and pollution had been causing widespread health issues, including respiratory problems, over the past month.
The GRAP-IV measures had included bans on medium and heavy diesel vehicles and other restrictive steps to combat pollution spikes. While these curbs proved effective, Delhi’s pollution crisis has often been linked to stubble burning in neighbouring states like Punjab and Haryana. The Union environment ministry has emphasised the need for alternatives to stubble burning, such as using crop residue for industrial or animal feed purposes. Encouragingly, efforts are being intensified to implement these solutions at scale.
From a sustainability perspective, reducing dependency on diesel vehicles and curbing emissions from stubble burning are critical for Delhi’s environmental resilience. However, a report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) recently highlighted another challenge—thermal power plants in the region emit 16 times more pollution than stubble burning. Calm winds and falling temperatures exacerbate the issue by trapping pollutants, a phenomenon termed ‘cold air traps.’ The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has demanded accountability from the government, calling for urgent and holistic measures to address these complex pollution dynamics.
Delhi’s improved air quality offers a momentary reprieve, but sustainable solutions must be prioritised. The city’s fight against pollution must include cleaner energy alternatives, stricter emission norms, and effective waste management. With proactive measures, Delhi can transition towards a healthier, more sustainable urban environment.
