By Bulletin Times 
Delhi’s Air Quality Shows Marginal Relief but Concerns Persist
After weeks of suffocating air pollution, Delhi’s air quality offered a mixed bag on Saturday. While some areas reported slight relief with AQI levels improving to the ‘moderate’ category, large parts of the city remained stuck in the ‘poor’ range, underscoring the capital’s ongoing struggle with smog and health risks.
The Numbers Paint a Divided Picture
Here’s how AQI readings varied across the city, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB):
Anand Vihar: 299 – Teetering on the edge of “Very Poor.”
Ashok Vihar: 221 – A solid “Poor.”
Aya Nagar: 150 – A rare “Moderate” classification.
Bawana: 263 – Firmly in the “Poor” zone.
DTU: 21 – A surprising “Good,” like finding an oasis in a desert.
IGI Airport (T3): 211 – Still “Poor,” reflecting the typical urban pollution blues.
The CPCB’s scale provides context:
Good (0–50): Clear skies and healthy air.
Moderate (101–200): Generally acceptable for the majority, but individuals with respiratory issues or other sensitivities should remain cautious.
Poor (201–300): Breathing discomfort for many.
Very Poor (301–400): Extended exposure poses significant health dangers, especially for vulnerable populations.
Severe (400+): A toxic blanket of air that spares no one.
The Supreme Court’s Role in Easing Restrictions
Delhi’s pollution crisis caught the attention of the Supreme Court earlier this week. Acknowledging slightly improved AQI levels, the Court allowed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to scale back restrictions from Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to Stage II. However, Justice Abhay S. Oka, heading the bench, issued a strong reminder: “This is no time to relax completely.” The Court suggested incorporating Stage III measures to ensure pollution levels don’t spiral out of control again.
The CAQM was further directed to reinstate GRAP-III restrictions if AQI rises above 350 and GRAP-IV measures if it crosses 400—a scenario Delhi knows all too well.
A Breather, But Not a Breakthrough
The easing of restrictions offers a ray of hope, but the battle against pollution is still far from over. Experts warn that Delhi’s air quality could easily slip back into hazardous territory without sustained efforts. Measures like controlling vehicular emissions, regulating industrial pollutants, and curbing construction dust are critical in ensuring these temporary gains translate into long-term relief.
A Tale of Contrasts
The data reveals a city divided: some areas like DTU report air quality akin to that of hill stations, while others like Anand Vihar continue to struggle under a choking haze. This disparity highlights the unevenness in pollution sources and enforcement across the city.
Moving Forward
Delhi’s air pollution problem isn’t just a seasonal crisis—it’s a systemic issue that demands coordinated action from policymakers, industries, and citizens alike. The question remains: Can the capital sustain this fragile improvement, or will the toxic air return with a vengeance?
For now, Delhiites can only hope that this minor reprieve marks the start of a cleaner, healthier future—and not just another temporary pause in the cycle of pollution.