Delhi Pollution: Smog Cover Refuses To Abate As Air Quality Remains 'Very Poor'

The air quality in Delhi on Sunday remained in "very poor" with an AQI of 314 .

After a brief period of relief, the air quality in the national capital has deteriorated again. On Sunday morning at 8 am, Delhi air quality was in the “very poor” category with an Air Quality Index of 314, according to the Central Pollution Control Board. Smog could be seen in many parts of the city along with other places in north India. 

On Saturday also, the air quality in the national capital remained in “very poor” category with an AQI of 322 while on Friday, it was 346. 

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'.

The city is also witnessing a  gradual drop in the mercury with a minimum temperature of 8.5 degrees Celsius, one notch below the season's average, on Saturday, as per the India Meteorological Department. 

On Friday, the city recorded the minimum temperature at 9.4 degrees Celsius.

Regarding pollution, the National Green Tribunal directed several states to make “further efforts” to improve air quality and “fully utilise” the funds received under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) and the 15th Finance Commission.

The tribunal, which had passed the order on December 5, also instructed the states concerned to file a further action taken report within eight weeks, according to a PTI report. 

A bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava noted the deteriorating air quality across various cities from November 22 to December 4 in Bihar (Patna, Purnia and Rajgir), Uttar Pradesh( Ghaziabad, Noida and Greater Noida), Punjab (Bhatinda) Haryana (Faridabad, Manesar, Rohtak and Bhiwadi), Rajasthan (Tonk) and Meghalaya (Byrnihat).