Delhi’s Air Quality Deteriorates; Several Areas Enter ‘Severe’ Category

Delhi’s air quality worsened on Tuesday as the Air Quality Index (AQI) fell into the “very poor” category, with an average AQI of 395 reported at 7:15 a.m., according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Alarmingly, 18 monitoring stations recorded AQI levels exceeding 400, classifying these areas as “severe.”

Areas With “Severe” Air Quality

Among the worst-affected locations were Anand Vihar with an AQI of 436, Mundka at 440, and Vivek Vihar at 430. Other high readings included 421 in Jahangirpuri, 432 in Rohini, and 422 in Wazirpur. These AQI levels indicate severe air pollution, which can pose serious health risks to residents.

Also Read: Protests Against Vaishno Devi Ropeway Suspended After Talks With Government

Broad Spread Of “Very Poor” Air Quality

In 20 additional monitoring stations, AQI levels ranged between 300 and 400, remaining in the “very poor” category. Key locations included RK Puram at 398, Dwarka Sector 8 at 397, and Okhla Phase II at 392.

Neighboring NCR Cities Affected

The National Capital Region (NCR) also reported deteriorating air quality. Gurugram recorded an average AQI of 339, while Greater Noida and Faridabad reported 332 and 243, respectively.

Weather And Supreme Court’s Response

Shallow fog covered parts of Delhi on Tuesday morning, with temperatures around 12°C, according to the Meteorological Department. Despite the worsening conditions, the Supreme Court upheld stringent anti-pollution measures under Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on Monday.

GRAP Measures In Effect

To curb pollution, GRAP mandates bans on truck entry, except for those carrying essential goods or running on cleaner fuels like LNG, CNG, BS-VI diesel, or electric power. Construction at public project sites has also been halted.

Categorizing Air Quality

The CPCB categorizes AQI as follows:

• Good (0–50)
• Satisfactory (51–100)
• Moderate (101–200)
• Poor (201–300)
• Very Poor (301–400)
• Severe (401–450)
• Severe Plus (Above 450)

A Call For Urgent Action

The escalating air pollution in Delhi and neighboring areas underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of pollution control measures and a broader focus on long-term solutions.