Delhi's air turns 'very poor' as AQI crosses 300 after brief rain relief

Data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed that ITO recorded an AQI of 351, while Rohini and Punjabi Bagh registered 399 each, with both readings falling in the 'very poor' category.

In Short

• Delhi's Jahangirpuri station records 'severe' AQI of 420
• ITO and Punjabi Bagh log AQIs of 351 and 399 respectively
• AQI worsened from 'poor' category of 222 on Sunday morning

The overall air pollution levels in Delhi plummeted to the 'very poor' category on Monday, with the city recording an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 310 at 8.05 am. A layer of haze shrouded the national capital in the early hours of the day.

The decline in air quality marked an end to the brief respite from pollution brought by last week's rainfall. Meanwhile, the air monitoring station in Jahangirpuri logged a reading of 420, falling in the 'severe' category.

Data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed that ITO recorded an AQI of 351, while Rohini and Punjabi Bagh registered 399 each, with both readings falling in the 'very poor' category.

Alipur recorded an AQI of 382, followed by Mundka at 377. Vivek Vihar registered an AQI of 376, while Narela recorded 375. At the same time, RK Puram and Sonia Vihar both reported an AQI of 370, followed by Bawana at 365.

Among the 58 monitoring stations across Delhi for which data were available, Tikri Kalan recorded the lowest AQI at 160, indicating the best air quality in the city. Ghummanhera followed with an AQI of 186, while Maidan Garhi registered 189.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), an AQI between zero 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.'

The sharp deterioration in Delhi's AQI levels comes a day after the national capital's air quality was recorded in the 'poor' category. On Sunday, November 1, an AQI of 222 was recorded at 9 am.

During the day, Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 18 degrees Celsius, which was 1.9 notches below the season's average, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

DELHI UNDER ANTI-POLLUTION CURBS

November 1 also marked the first day of the new anti-air pollution restrictions in Delhi.

The curbs, which will remain in force for varying periods between November 1 and February 28, are aimed at reducing vehicular emissions, dust pollution and traffic congestion during the winter months.

Enforcement teams are conducting round-the-clock checks, identifying vehicles violating the restrictions through automatic number plate recognition cameras installed at entry points and other key locations.

Delhi authorities imposed penalties and environmental compensation totalling Rs 68.4 lakh on the first day of the Winter Action Plan, with nearly 15,000 vehicles checked, 1,539 turned back at border points and 566 challans issued for violations of Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) norms.

According to official data available till 5 pm on Sunday, the total amount comprised Rs 56.6 lakh in penalties for PUCC violations, Rs 2 lakh in fines for violations of border entry restrictions and Rs 9.8 lakh in environmental compensation for construction and demolition-related violations.

The sharp deterioration in Delhi's air quality comes less than a week ahead of Diwali.

On October 21, stage one measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) were imposed by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in Delhi-NCR as air quality in the region slipped into the 'poor' category.

- Ends
(With inputs from agencies)