Delhi AQI Dips But Air Quality Nowhere Near Safe Zone

New Delhi's air quality, while marginally improved, remains "very poor," with several areas experiencing "severe" levels.

The air quality in Delhi continued to remain in very poor category with several stations recording 'severe' levels of air pollution.

Source : PTI

The air quality in New Delhi showed a marginal improvement on Saturday, however, the overall air quality remained in the 'very poor' category with some areas recording 'severe' levels. The national capital recorded an AQI of 361 on Saturday at 6 am, according to the Central Pollution Control Board.

Bawana, New Moti Bagh, Rohini, Vivek Vihar, and Wazirpur were some of the stations which recorded a 'severe' pollution level with AQI above 400. 

An 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", 401 and 450 "severe" and above 450 "severe-plus".

On Friday, the city had an AQI of 384 at 6 am with as many as 20 stations reporting pollution at a 'severe' level. 

Station
Alipur	388
Anand Vihar	394
Ashok Vihar	385
Bawana	411
Burari Crossing	357
CRRI Mathura Road	337
DTU	358
Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range	388
Dwarks Sector-8	363
IGI Airport (T3)	342
IBHAS, Dilshad Garden	224
ITO	360
Jahangirpuri	390
Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium	344
Lodhi Road	325
Dhyan Chand Stadium	391
Mandir Marg	369
Mundka	380
NSIT Dwarka	364
Najafgarh	359
Narela	392
Nehru Nagar	393
New Moti Bagh	409
North Campus, DU	352
Okhla Phase-2	375
Patparganj	388
Punjabi Bagh	398
Pusa, DPCC	342
Pusa, IMD	335
RK Puram	376
Rohini	404
Shadipur	372
Siri Fort	367
Sonia Vihar	392
Sri Aurobindo Marg	223
Vivek Vihar	400
Wazirpur	400

On Friday, the Delhi government tested 'drone-based mist spraying' at Anand Vihar, one of the city's pollution hotspots in a bid to curb rising air pollution. Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that pollution levels in the hotspot are higher than the average AQI in the capital and the demonstration aimed to address the issue. 

"Pollution levels are elevated at 13 hotspots across Delhi, and this pilot project allows us to test drone-based mist spraying in areas where conventional anti-smog guns can't reach," the minister said, reported PTI. 

The drone has the capacity to carry up to 15 litres of water and release a fine mist to control airborne pollutants, especially in congested and inaccessible areas.