Delhi, Nov 04: Delhi, the capital city of India, continues to grapple with hazardous levels of air pollution, with the air quality categorized as ‘severe’ in multiple areas, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Data reveals that the Air Quality Index (AQI) in key locations is alarmingly high: 448 in Anand Vihar, 421 in Jahangirpuri, 435 in Dwarka, and 421 at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (T3). In the AQI scale, an index between zero and 50 is ‘good’, 51 to 100 is ‘satisfactory’, 101 to 200 is ‘moderate’, 201 to 300 is ‘poor’, 301 to 400 is ‘very poor’, and 401 to 500 is ‘severe’. Anything beyond 500 is categorized as ‘severe plus’.
To address the ongoing air quality crisis, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has assembled 517 surveillance teams comprising 1,119 officers. These teams have been tasked with monitoring and controlling open burning, illegal construction, the dumping of demolition waste, and dust on roads. The MCD’s winter action plan aims to enforce the revised guidelines from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).
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On the preceding day, Delhi’s 24-hour average air quality remained in the ‘severe plus’ category. In this critical phase, all emergency measures are implemented, which includes a ban on polluting vehicles, commercial four-wheelers, and construction activities within Delhi and its neighboring regions.
Delhi’s AQI recorded 468, marking the worst level since November 12, 2021. The ongoing smog and haze have resulted in the concentration of PM2.5, fine particulate matter that poses health risks, exceeding safe limits by seven to eight times at various locations.
As the pollution crisis continues, the 24-hour average AQI in Delhi has followed a concerning trajectory: 392 on Thursday, 364 on Wednesday, 359 on Tuesday, 347 on Monday, 325 on Sunday, 304 on Saturday, and 261 on Friday. The situation underscores the urgent need for comprehensive measures to mitigate air pollution and protect public health in the region.
