Delhi Records 'Poor' Air Quality Day After Dussehra Celebrations

Delhi's air quality remained poor on Sunday with an AQI of 219, indicating moderate pollution.

Delhi's air quality was in poor category on Sunday. (Representational Image)

Source : PTI

Delhi recorded "poor" air quality on Sunday with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 219, as of 10 am, a day after Dussehra celebratios in th city according to the Central Pollution Control Board. 

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, and 401 and 500 severe.

The city recorded a minimum temperature of 18.6 degrees Celsius while the humidity level stood at 76 per cent at 9:05 am. 

The India Meteorological Department has predicted a cloudy sky for the day and the maximum temperature is expected to be recorded at 34 degrees Celsius.

On Thursday, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) released a report listing the driving factors behind the air pollution in the national capital during winter months. 

According to the report,  biomass burning, road dust, industrial emissions, and construction dust, continue to pollute Delhi's air quality. The Committee also noted that the national capital witnessed fluctuations in its air quality from 2016 to 2024. 

As of September 19, the city recorded a total of 96 days when the air quality was classified as poor, very poor, or severe.

On the contrary, there were 159 such days in 2023, 202 in 2022, 168 in 2021, 139 in 2020, 183 in 2019, 206 in 2018, 211 in 2017, and 243 in 2016, highlighting the fluctuations in air quality over the past years.

The report highlights the recent Source Apportionment Study of the NCT of Delhi which illustrates comprehensive research identifying vehicular emissions, road dust, construction activities, and biomass burning as major contributors to air pollution in Delhi.

To resolve the issues, the Delhi government has introduced stringent measures for dust management which arises during construction and demolition activities. It has also introduced robust controls on vehicular emissions.

Last month, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai presented the 21-point Winter Action Plan to reduce pollution in the national capital in the coming months with steps like the odd-even scheme and artificial rain.