Delhi sees yet another air pollution-riddled winter, AQI remained in ‘severe’ category for 19 days
Author: Abhinaya Harigovind
From October 2021 to January 2022 this winter, Delhi recorded 19 days when the Capital’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was in the ‘severe’ category with readings between 401 and 500. This is the same as the previous two winters, which also recorded 19 days when the air quality was in the ‘severe’ category. Different combinations of measures have been taken in the past as well, when AQI rises, including banning construction and restrictions on industrial units over the last few years, Roychowdhury said. Similar restrictions were introduced by the Commission for Air Quality Management this winter as well. “But emergency measures are temporary efforts to ensure that we are not adding more pollution when pollutants are already trapped. Infrastructural changes, like improving the public transport system, will now have to be the focus,” she added.