Delhi’s Air Quality Remains in ‘Very Poor’ Category
The air quality in Delhi-NCR has continued to be classified as ‘very poor,’ with a thick layer of smog enveloping the region in the morning.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the average Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 328 in the national capital at 7:30 a.m. Other cities in the Delhi-NCR region reported similarly high pollution levels: Faridabad at 206, Gurugram at 195, Ghaziabad at 252, Greater Noida at 248, and Noida at 267.
While the AQI improved to the ‘poor’ category on Saturday due to some winds, it dropped back to ‘very poor’ by Sunday and remained so on Monday morning.
Several areas in Delhi showed ‘very poor’ air quality, with the worst affected locations including Anand Vihar (AQI 357), Ashok Vihar (361), Wazirpur (362), Jahangirpuri (366), and Najafgarh (325). Indira Gandhi International Airport (T3) recorded an AQI of 316.
In Noida, the air quality was categorized as ‘poor’ with AQI levels ranging between 250 and 299 in various areas. Gurugram also experienced mixed air quality ratings, with some areas falling into the ‘very poor’ category.
The AQI scale defines levels as follows: 0-50 (good), 51-100 (satisfactory), 101-200 (moderate), 201-300 (poor), 301-400 (very poor), and 401-500 (severe).
Air pollution levels in Delhi-NCR are expected to rise in the coming days due to stubble burning and firecracker use, compounded by unfavorable wind conditions.
The region has been facing persistent air pollution issues, with hazardous AQI levels reaching 400 on Sunday in areas like Anand Vihar, Mundka, and Bawana. The CPCB reported a 24-hour average AQI of 355 for Delhi on Sunday at 4 p.m.
In response to the deteriorating air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) implemented Stage 2 emergency measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on October 22. This phase emphasizes efforts to reduce dust pollution and limit emissions from diesel generators. Authorities are deploying mechanical and vacuum road sweepers, conducting water sprinkling on major roads, and intensifying inspections at construction sites to enforce stricter dust control measures.
