Air quality in Delhi continued to remain at “severe” levels as the AQI crossed 400 in several parts of the city. The toxic haze pushed the capital into the “red zone”, making it one of the most polluted cities in the country.
Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed that the 24-hour average AQI in Delhi, measured at 6 am, was 392. On Saturday, the city recorded 361, making it one of the most polluted cities in the country. On Friday, the city recorded an AQI of 322, the highest in the country at that time.
Among the city’s 38 monitoring stations, pollution levels were particularly high in several areas. AQI touched 412 in Anand Vihar, 430 in Burari Crossing, 420 in ITO, 420 in Mundka, 347 in Najafgarh, 405 in Okhla, 415 in Punjabi Bagh, 421 in RK Puram, 436 in Wazirpur and 419 in Narela.
Noida’s air quality is deteriorating
According to CPCB data, Noida’s overall AQI rose to 354, up from 306 the previous day. In Greater Noida, Knowledge Park V recorded an AQI of 322, while Knowledge Park III scored 328 – both falling under the same pollution category.
With the capital in the grip of a toxic haze, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has advised private institutions to prefer working from home, while the timings of Delhi government offices and Delhi Municipal Corporation offices have also changed.
What are the new winter office hours?
As per the proposed schedule, government offices in Delhi will now function from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm instead of the earlier 9:30 am to 6:00 pm.
MCD offices, on the other hand, will function from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm instead of the earlier 9:00 am to 5:30 pm.
How bad is the air quality in Delhi?
Air quality in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) has been deteriorating since Diwali, remaining in the ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’ categories before finally reaching ‘hazardous’ levels, with the AQI touching 400 in some parts of the city.
What causes pollution?
Stubble burning has been identified as a major contributor to rising pollution in the capital. According to the Decision Support System (DSS) for Air Quality Forecasts, 30 percent of pollution in Delhi is attributed to stubble burning, while 15 percent comes from the transport sector.
