Delhi: Air Quality slips into 'severe' category in several regions

The air quality in New Delhi continues to deteriorate and slip into the 'severe' category in several places across the city. On Wednesday, a layer of haze lingered over the national capital in the morning. The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi docked at 392 in the 'very poor' category, according to the Center-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR).

The overall air quality of Delhi has improved as a level of 24 hours averaged value of lead pollutant (PM 2.5) recorded below 250 ugs/m3 in the wee hours of Wednesday, which is defined as 'very poor', as forecasted by SAFAR. The levels of PM 2.5 reached 393 and 598, respectively in the Delhi University area and Chandani Chowk in the 'very poor' and 'severe' category. 

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Major pollutants PM 2.5 reached 500 in the 'severe' category and PM 10 at 379, 'very poor' category, in Lodhi Road area, according to the AQI data. Polluting levels in several parts of Delhi including Anand Vihar (463), ITO (410) and Ashok Vihar (454) slipped into the 'severe' category.

An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.

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According to SAFAR, the overall pollution level during the Diwali period of the current year was found to be better than in the past three years. Boundary layer wind speed helped to flush out the additional load of Tuesday night. The levels of PM 2.5 reached as high as 519 in 'severe category' in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. AQI is forecasted to be in higher-end of very poor category for the next two days with few touching higher levels.

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Measures taken by the Delhi Government

The capital is well versed in the issue of poor air quality as winter approaches and the Delhi government has been taking multiple steps to combat the issue. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has rolled out the Odd-Even plan once again and has also introduced new CNG run buses in the city. Multiple ministers believe that the major source of poor quality of air in the capital is because of the crop burning in the neighbouring states and that the smoke carries into the Delhi NCR region. 

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(with ANI inputs)