Delhi-NCR AQI: No Respite As Air Quality Remains 'Very Poor', Shallow Fog Engulfs City

With a dipping air quality, the national capital region or Delhi-NCR saw no respite from the air pollution menace as the situation worsened at an AQI of 371.

Delhi air remains 'very poor' ahead of peak winters.

Source : PTI

Battling the worst quality of October air, Delhi-NCR or the national capital region is yet to see a respite from the pollution menace as the air quality has further deteriorated to 371 in the 'very poor' category on Wednesday morning as shallow fog covered the city. Despite anti-pollution measures in the Winter plan announced by the Delhi government, the situation is yet to see an improvement. With peak winters yet to arrive in the city, residents are once again bracing themselves to battle the pollution crisis even as the government promises measures to mitigate the problem.

Meanwhile, the air quality in Greater Noida, Noida, and Faridabad stood in the 'very poor' category at 375, 329 and 320 respectively. Ghaziabad and Gurugram were in the 'poor' category at 251, and 242, as per data shared by the Central Pollution Control Board.

A runner near Delhi's Mayur Vihar told news agency ANI, "It feels a bit uncomfortable to breathe while running due to pollution now as compared to in the summer months. I face congestion. We need to remain careful and take all precautions."

 

The crisis is also being heard at the Supreme Court and the apex body pulled up the five states of Delhi, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan governments over the continuing problem and asked them to file affidavits on the steps taken to contain pollution. The court also held farm fires as the leading reason contributing to the worsening air condition of Delhi.

"The concerned states should file an affidavit setting forth what steps they have taken to redeem the position. We call upon the states of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to file an affidavit within a week," the bench said, while the matter has been listed for hearing on November 7.

On Tuesday, the average Air Quality Index (AQI) was clocked at 359, making it the worst for the season.

An AQI between zero and 50 falls under the 'good' category while an AQI between 51 and 100 is considered 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 is deemed 'moderate', while anything between 201 and 300 is considered 'poor', followed by 'very poor' when the AQI is between 301 and 400 and an AQI between 401 and 500 is considered 'severe'.