the Delhi government has officially declared the postponement of the much-anticipated odd-even vehicle restriction policy in the national capital. This decision comes in the wake of a remarkable improvement in the air quality index (AQI) following overnight rains throughout the region.
Delhi Environment Minister, Gopal Rai, announced the decision, stating, “An improvement is seen in the pollution level. The AQI, which was previously at a concerning 450+, has now considerably dropped to around 300. Consequently, the implementation of the odd-even policy, scheduled to take place from November 13 to 20, has been deferred. The situation will be reevaluated post-Diwali.”
The morning showers in various parts of Delhi have provided a welcome respite for residents grappling with the hazardous air conditions in the weeks leading up to the festive season of Diwali. As of 7 am today, the overall air quality in Delhi, as reported by the government’s air-quality monitoring agency SAFAR, stands at 407.
However, there has been a noticeable improvement, with the AQI recorded at 10 am registering at 361. Although this still falls within the ‘Very Poor’ category, it marks a positive shift from the previous ‘Severe’ classification.
