New Delhi: Indian authorities today activated Stage I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for air quality management due to persistent pollution in the national capital region.

According to Lao News Agency, the Daily Air Quality Index (AQI) Bulletin provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) detected pollution levels in the range of 201 to 300, which is categorized as poor in the Delhi area over recent days.

The Delhi AQI has also shown an upward trend in environmental degradation due to surface wind variability and unfavorable weather conditions, the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change said.

The board decided to immediately implement the 27 actions outlined in Stage I of the GRAP. Citizens are urged to cooperate with measures such as keeping vehicles properly tuned, preferably using hybrid or electric cars, and not littering or dumping waste in public spaces.

Additionally, authorities encouraged reporting air polluting activities through the established applications, planting trees, and avoiding the use of firecrackers in celebrations.

Periodic mechanical sweeping and sprinkling of roads should also be carried out, and the responsible disposal of accumulated dust in landfills should be ensured.