Delhi: Air quality in the national capital continues to remain in ‘poor’ category, as per the Central Pollution Control Board. The air quality index (AQI) on Friday morning at 7 am was recorded 277 which comes under ‘poor’ category. The India Meteorological Department has issued yellow alert for cold wave as maximum and temperature in Delhi is expected to remain 23°C and 4°C respectively. Delhi’s minimum temperature was recorded 9.8 degrees Celsius on Friday at 5:30 am.

AQI Across Delhi

Bawana (327), Jahangirpuri (325), Rohini (325), Pusa (309), ITO (278), Najafgarh (276), Narela (281), Patparganj (286), Okhla Phase-2 (285), Punjabi Bagh (278), R K Puram (299), Anand Vihar (306), Ashok Vihar (294), Chandni Chowk (186).

Supreme Court On Delhi Pollution

The Supreme Court on Thursday heard the case related to air pollution in the national capital. The apex court asked Delhi National Capital Region (NCR) states to take a final call on prohibiting the use of firecrackers throughout the year.

The Supreme Court heard a case related to air pollution in the national capital on Thursday. The apex court asked the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR) states to make a final decision on prohibiting the use of firecrackers throughout the year.

A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih asked the Delhi government and other NCR states – Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan – to place their decisions on record before the apex court.

The bench emphasized that a ban is required not only to curb air pollution but to mitigate noise pollution as well. It noted that the issue regarding the ban on the use of firecrackers in NCR states is yet to be addressed.

The Apex Court stated, “We direct the concerned state governments to place their decisions regarding a complete ban on the use of firecrackers throughout the year.”

It added that when it refers to a ban on the use of firecrackers, it will also include a ban on the manufacture, storage, sale and distribution of them. In addition, to reduce air pollution, the apex court also suggested that government departments should start using electric vehicles.

Delhi Pollution: GRAP Order To Remain In Effect

The Supreme Court also ordered that its earlier order on the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) will continue to remain in effect until further orders. It has also directed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CQAM) to proceed with the implementation of the modified measures to improve air quality in Delhi.

Notably, GRAP stage IV restrictions were relaxed after improvement was observed in Delhi’s air quality.

Also Read: Cold Wave Alert: Delhi To Experience Season’s Coldest Day On December 13