Air quality in Delhi remained in the ‘very poor’ category on Saturday.
According to data collected from 40 different monitoring stations, 31 stations remained in the “very poor” bands in the evening, with Nehru Nagar reporting the highest AQI at 369, according to CPCB’s Sameer App.
A total of 36 stations were in the “very poor” category, with Mundka recording the worst levels of 387, PTI reported.
The AQI varied wildly throughout the week as the city recorded an AQI of 279 on Sunday, 304 on Monday, later rising to 372 on Tuesday and 342 on Wednesday. It remained in the “very poor” category at 304 on Thursday and 327 on Friday.
In response to deteriorating air quality, the Delhi government has formed an expert group on air pollution mitigation that will be responsible for providing evidence-based guidelines for prevention, control and long-term management of air quality, an official told PTI.
What is the purpose of a professional body?
The expert body was set up to advise the Delhi government on sector-specific interventions, emerging technologies and policy reforms needed to address both man-made and natural-caused pollution.
The group will work as a high-level advisory panel to guide, evaluate and strengthen Delhi’s air quality management strategy.
The group is tasked with providing independent, science-based and actionable advice to the Delhi government to help mitigate air pollution. It also aims to provide short-term emergency responses and long-term structural reforms.
It will actively monitor and review air pollution control programs implemented by various departments and suggest policy measures based on the report in line with global best practices.
Established for an initial period of six months, the expert group was mandated to meet at least once a month, either in person or virtually. The government retains the power to extend its tenure or change its composition as needed, PTI reported.
