No Sign Of Relief For Delhi Residents As Air Quality Dips To 'Severe' Category In Several Parts

The Air Quality Index (AQI) across Delhi worsened and was recorded in the 'Severe' category in several areas on Wednesday morning.

Delhi Air Pollution: As the winter season starts to set in, the air quality in the national capital continues to remain a challenge for the residents. The Air Quality Index (AQI) across Delhi worsened and was recorded in the 'Severe' category in several areas on Wednesday morning, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). According to CPCB, AQI in Ashok Vihar was recorded at 405, in Jahangirpuri at 428, in Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium at 404, and in Dwarka Sector 8 at 403.

The overall air quality, however, was recorded in the 'very poor' category on Wednesday as per SAFAR India. The overall AQI in the city was 348 in the city. 

The national capital has been witnessing a sharp rise in AQI levels after a slight improvement on Sunday. The AQI in the city stood at 348 at 4 pm on Monday, deteriorating from 301 on Sunday.  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 increase in AQI levels comes after the Centre on Saturday had removed stringent curbs, including a ban on construction work related to linear projects and the entry of polluting trucks, in Delhi following a drop in pollution levels due to favourable wind speed and direction.

These measures constitute the final stage -- Stage IV -- of the Centre's air pollution control plan called the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). On Tuesday morning, level of pollution in the national capital and its suburbs increased further overnight with the AQI recorded at 365 at 9 am, according to the Central Pollution Control Board.