After two consecutive “very poor” air days, Delhi’s pollution levels significantly improved to reach the “poor” category on Tuesday, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of the national capital reaching 221, according to data from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR).
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”.
According to the latest data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), areas in the national capital region also recorded an improvement in the air quality, with the observatory in Faridabad’s sector 11 recording an AQI of 216, in Gurugram’s Teri Gram 219, in Ghaziabad’s Loni 306, and Noida’s Sector 62 at 228.
The capital’s 24-hour average air quality index stood at 313 on Sunday, deteriorating from 248 on Saturday. Delhi last recorded “very poor” air quality on May 17 when the AQI was 336. On Monday, the 24-hour average air quality index stood at 263.
AQI May Go Back To ‘Very Poor’
The air quality is likely to be in the “very poor” category on Tuesday and Wednesday, as per the latest forecast. The air quality on October 26 is likely to be in the lower end of “very poor” category.
According to SAFAR, the air quality of the city is likely to deteriorate further under “very poor” category with PM 2.5 reaching 313 and the PM 10 concentration at 191 “under moderate” category on Tuesday.
India Meteorological Department (IMD) officials also said that the air quality in Delhi-NCR may remain “very poor” for the next few days due to a drop in temperature and the influx of emissions from stubble burning.
The wind speed is slow, and there has been scant rainfall in October, unlike the last two years, an official said.
The bursting of crackers during this festival season may also contribute to the rising pollution levels in national capital region.
Delhi Govt’s Meet
Meanwhile, with deteriorating AQI, the Delhi government is preparing to re-launch a campaign to curb vehicular pollution on October 26, a year after Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena put it on hold, questioning its effectiveness.
On Monday, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that the campaign will kick off on October 26. However, he mentioned that the odd-even car-rationing scheme, which allows cars to ply on alternate days based on odd or even number plates, is not currently under consideration.
The government has also identified eight more pollution hotspots in addition to the existing 13 in the national capital, and special teams will be deployed there to check pollution sources, Rai said. The government has also decided to use suppressant powder to prevent dust pollution in the city.
He added that special teams will be deployed at the eight places to identify pollution sources and take corrective measures in collaboration with the Delhi Pollution Control Committee. Rai also mentioned that district collectors have been instructed to conduct field visits on October 25 and ensure the strict implementation of pollution mitigation measures.
“Directions have also been issued to use dust suppressant powder in anti-smog guns to prevent dust pollution. The anti-dust campaign will be strengthened, and more field visits will be conducted,” he said. Action will be taken against diesel generator sets, Rai said, adding DG sets being used for emergency services are exempt.
The minister said directions have been issued to the Delhi Traffic Police to decongest 95 identified traffic junctions which will help reduce vehicular pollution. He said the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and the Delhi Transport Corporation have been instructed to increase the frequency of their services.
The Delhi government will also run additional buses in the capital under the “Paryavaran Bus Sewa” campaign to bolster public transport in a bid to reduce vehicular emissions, the minister said.
(With PTI Inputs)
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