Breathing Troubles Continue As Air Quality In Many Areas Across Delhi Dips To 'Severe' Category

The air quality in Delhi stood at 'Severe' on Friday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) going over 400 in certain areas.

The air quality dipped to the ‘Severe’ category in several areas in Delhi on Friday morning with an overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of 364, as per SAFAR India. AQI at Anand Vihar breached the 400 mark (404) while in Ashok Vihar, the air quality stood at 398. AQI in Jahangirpuri was 396, as of 9 am data of the CPCB.

A thick layer of haze engulfed the city on Friday morning with drone visuals showing smog over AIIMS and surrounding areas in Delhi.

People who were out for morning walks said they wore masks within 10 minutes as they faced difficulty in breathing. 

"The pollution is very high. It is dangerous for humans. We are using masks during the morning walks. I am a senior citizen and I came here for a morning walk. There is a difficulty in breathing just within 10 minutes. There is construction work going on and there is no rain, that is why the pollution is not settled." says a local at Kartavya Path.

"There is a lot of pollution in Delhi. We face difficulty in breathing during the morning walks. The pollution was reduced a little due to rain but it is still a lot. The government does not make enough effort. The pollution is very high," said Anuj Kumar who was also at Kartavya Path for a walk.

GRAP-3 restrictions have been lifted in the national capital, however, GRAP-1 and GRAP-2 curbs are still in place.

The Air Quality Index from 0 to 100 is considered 'good', 100 to 200 'moderate', 200 to 300 'poor', 300 to 400 'very poor' and from 400 to 500 and above 'severe'.

Meanwhile, on the delay in trains' schedule, Railway CPRO Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay, "The speed of a train is 130kmph but when the visibility reduces due to fog, the speed has to be reduced. It depends on the driver how fast he wants to drive the train... We try that at least 60 to 80 kmph speed is maintained but it depends on the driver..."

"Our priority is that people reach their destination safely even if it is a little late. They may face difficulty in food and snacks supply if the train takes more than the scheduled time. Hence, all railway stations are directed to keep the food and snacks stores open day and night..." he added.