Delhi Breathes Easy As Rains Improve Air Quality

The Supreme Court on Monday had pulled up the states of Punjab and Haryana for failing to take steps against stubble burning despite the top court’s order against it

Delhi Breathes Easy As Rains Improve Air Quality/ Photo: PTI

New Delhi: The people residing in the national capital city breathed a sigh of relief as Delhi's air quality improved to the 'moderate' category on Friday. The light rains in parts of the national capital on Thursday morning played a major role in improving the city's air quality. It’s not only the rains but also favourable wind speed helped in improving the air quality which was recorded in the "moderate" category today morning. According to the Air Quality Index (AQI) data as per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on Friday morning - major pollutant PM 2.5 level was at 83 ('satisfactory' category) and at Anand Vihar it was 56 ('satisfactory' category) in the area around Lodhi Road. An AQI between 0-50 is considered 'good', 51-100 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300 'poor', 301-400 'very poor' and 401-500 'severe'. An AQI above 500 falls in the 'severe plus' category. The Supreme Court on Monday had pulled up the states of Punjab and Haryana for failing to take steps against stubble burning despite the top court’s order against it. It was for the third time in one month that the apex court castigated the state governments for failing to control the rising pollution. “Why are Delhiites forced to live in gas chambers?” Justice Arun Mishra said on Monday. “It’s better to get explosives in bags and kill them in one go! Why are people made to suffer like this?” The top court was hearing a plea on air pollution in the national Capital, and parts of North India.