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 | AQI |
| 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.