Delhi awoke to a thick smog engulfing the city, with the National Capital Region (NCR) witnessing ‘severe’ air quality on Monday, marked by an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 400, according to Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.
Various locations across Delhi, including Ashok Vihar with an alarming AQI of 454, experienced ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ air quality at 10 a.m. Other severely affected areas include Mundka, Sonia Vihar, ITO, Punjabi Bagh, Jahangirpuri, Rohini, Nehru Nagar, North Campus, R K Puram, Burari Crossing, DTU, and Dwarka.
Residents expressed concern about the deteriorating air quality, emphasizing the impact on health. Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai conducted a meeting, acknowledging the increase in pollution levels despite reduced stubble burning incidents.
The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) restrictions remain in place, with discussions about implementing GRAP Stage IV. Light rain is anticipated, offering a potential reprieve for the city’s air quality.
