In a concerning development, Delhi’s air quality has been categorized as ‘very poor’ in multiple areas, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) standing at 356, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) data.
According to CPCB data, Anand Vihar and Ashok Vihar recorded ‘Very Poor’ air quality with AQI readings of 379 and 382, respectively. Notably, this marks a slight improvement from the ‘severe’ category recorded earlier, with Anand Vihar and Ashok Vihar reaching AQI readings of 412 and 405 at 6 am on Friday.
Other areas, including Aya Nagar, IGI airport, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, RK Puram, Rohini, and Wazirpur, reported AQI readings ranging from 347 to 400. However, some locations, like Dwarka Sector 8 and Jahangirpuri, experienced ‘severe’ category air with AQI readings at 407 and 409, respectively.
Despite the lifting of Graded Response Action Plan (Grap-3), the Delhi government is keen on strict implementation of Grap-1 and 2, as stated by Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Wednesday.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed authorities to disclose a comprehensive prevention plan to maintain acceptable air quality levels in Delhi. The tribunal has also called for a thorough study on factors contributing to air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR).
The AQI ranges from 0 to 100 (good), 100 to 200 (moderate), 200 to 300 (poor), 300 to 400 (very poor), and 400 to 500 or above (severe).