On a recent Saturday morning, Delhi witnessed a slight respite as its air quality improved to a 'very poor' Air Quality Index (AQI) of 340, a welcome shift from the 'severe' levels reported just the evening before. This change is credited to more favorable weather conditions, including increased wind speed and a shift in wind direction, offering a breath of relief to the city's residents.

Despite this improvement, Delhi remains veiled in a hazardous haze, posing significant health risks. In November alone, the city has grappled with severe or near-severe air quality for 12 days. Notably, 23 areas still register in the 'severe' category, with neighborhoods like Dwarka, Nehru Nagar, Mundka, Wazirpur, and Punjabi Bagh reporting alarmingly high AQI readings exceeding 440.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to states lagging in implementing corrective measures, emphasizing the need for urgent action based on Central Pollution Control Board bulletins. The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) outlines measures for different AQI stages, yet Delhi's struggle persists, highlighting the ongoing battle to combat pollution in the capital.