Air pollution in Delhi: Slight improvement in AQI from ‘severe’ to ‘very poor’, here’s what official data says
There has been a slight improvement in Delhi’s AQI in certain areas as the pollution level has shifted from ‘severe’ to ‘very poor’ category. Check official data..
New Delhi: A small relief for residents as air pollution in Delhi declines slightly and AQI in Delhi shifts from ‘severe’ to ‘very poor’ in certain areas. For almost a few months now, the national capital has been struggling to breathe fresh air as the continuous increase in pollution makes them feel suffocated and breathless. The Delhi AQI fluctuates between ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ categories. In a latest update, there has been a slight improvement in air quality index levels in the capital. However, air pollution in the national capital still falls in the ‘very poor’ category, with an overall air quality index (AQI) of 393.
Delhi AQI today
According to the official data recorded at 7 am on Sunday, an AQI of 433 was recorded in Ananad Vihar and 434 in Ashok Vihar. Similarly, the AQI in Bawana was 437, while Jahangirpuri recorded an AQI of 450, all of which fell in the severe category. The AQI at the ITO in Delhi was recorded at 382 (very poor), while the IGI airport recorded an AQI of 360 (very poor). The Air Quality Index from 0 to 100 is considered ‘good’, 100 to 200 as ‘moderate’, 200 to 300 as ‘poor’, 300 to 400 as ‘very poor’ and from 400 to 500 or higher as ‘severe’.
GRAP-IV restrictions withdrawn. Improvement visible
Following a significant improvement in the overall AQI in the national capital last week, the CAQM (Air Quality Management Commission) has withdrawn restrictions imposed under GRAP 4, allowing trucks and buses, except BS-3 and BS-4 petrol and diesel, vehicles were allowed to enter the city and the ban on ongoing construction activities was lifted. However, restrictions under Phases 1 to 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) remained in place.
Statement by Environment Minister Gopal Rai
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai held a meeting on Friday over the rising pollution in the city. “Some increase in Delhi’s pollution has been observed. We had a meeting about it. The number of cases of stubble burning is now very limited and pollution is still increasing. Scientists reported 2-3 factors for this. The first is that the contribution of vehicle pollution is 36 percent. The second factor is the combustion of biomass. After seeing this, we took some important decisions, Gopal Rai said.
“To control vehicular pollution, we have issued the rules of GRAP 3. To keep biomass combustion under control, we have instructed related organizations to mainly monitor this. mainly the MCD, Revenue, DDA and NDMC are given this direction for the fires breaking out at various places in the parks,” he added.
(Input from ANI)