The National Capital Region (NCR) is experiencing ‘Very Poor’ to ‘Poor’ air quality, with Air Quality Index (AQI) readings ranging from 221 to 341.
Despite a 15-point winter action plan to reduce growing pollution, the fight to improve air quality continues.
While initiatives like ‘Red Light on, Gaadi off’ are in motion as vehicular and biomass burning emissions contribute to rising PM2.5 levels, the haze is likely to linger, with ‘Very Poor’ air quality forecast for the region from October 29 to 31, 2023.
The overall air quality in the national capital on Sunday was recorded in the ‘Very Poor’ category, as per the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR)-India.
On Sunday morning, the AQI in Delhi was 309 points.
According to the most recent SAFAR-India data, the air quality near Delhi University was 341 (Very Poor) in the early hours, whereas it was 300 in the IIT region. Similarly, it was measured at 262 in the ‘Poor’ category in the Lodhi Road region.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) anticipated prevailing surface breeze from different directions in Delhi with wind speed 04-08 kmph, resulting in mostly clear sky and mist in the morning on October 29.
Also, coming under the ‘Poor’ category, the IIT Delhi region recorded an AQI of 300 and in the Mathura Road area, it was recorded at 228. The quality of air at the Airport (T3) was in the ‘Very Poor’ category, with an AQI of 323.
Meanwhile, Noida recorded an AQI of 317 (Very Poor) and Gurugram 221 (Poor).
Earlier on Friday, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that a 15-point winter action plan is being implemented one by one to curb the pollution.