For a city long plagued by choking smog and dust-laden skies, Delhi woke up to a rare and refreshing sight this week clean, breathable air. For the second consecutive day, the capital’s Air Quality Index (AQI) held steady at a ‘satisfactory’ level of 89, marking the best air quality the city has seen in more than eight months.
This welcome change, confirmed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), follows the rollout of an ambitious 100-day action plan by the Delhi government. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa credited this rare improvement to intensified road cleaning efforts, with more than 11 lakh kilometers of city roads swept and regular water sprinkling operations helping to keep dust levels in check since February 20.
And there’s more relief on the way. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a ‘yellow’ alert for thunderstorms and moderate to heavy rainfall expected Thursday night, which could further cleanse the air and keep temperatures lower than usual. Delhiites can expect daytime highs of around 37°C and nighttime lows of 28°C in the coming days.
While this stretch of cleaner air offers a brief respite from the city’s usual pollution woes, experts caution that long-term solutions and sustained efforts remain key to ensuring that such blue-sky days become the norm not the exception.