New Delhi [India]: Residents of Delhi experienced a respite from persistent air pollution on Thursday as the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital improved to the ‘moderate’ category. This follows a month of severe and very poor air quality levels.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the overall AQI in Delhi was recorded at 161 as of 8 am, categorizing it as ‘moderate.’ Despite the improvement, a thin layer of smog lingered over the city as winter set in. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported a minimum temperature of 9°C today with mist in the air.
Area-Wise AQI Levels
As per CPCB data, AQI levels across various areas were as follows:
- Anand Vihar: 178
- Chandni Chowk: 194
- ITO: 130
- Wazirpur: 152
- Okhla Phase 2: 147
- Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium: 145
- Patparganj: 164
- Aya Nagar: 107
- Lodhi Road: 128
- IGI Airport (T3): 162
- Punjabi Bagh: 152
However, some areas such as RK Puram (204), Mundka (222), Shadipur (249), Nehru Nagar (247), and Jahangirpuri (206) continued to record AQI in the ‘poor’ category.
AQI Categories
- 0-50: Good
- 51-100: Satisfactory
- 101-200: Moderate
- 201-300: Poor
- 301-400: Very Poor
- 401-500: Severe
Impact of Improved Air Quality
Visuals from Kartavya Path showed many residents jogging and walking in the area, taking advantage of the improved air quality.
Over the past month, Delhi’s AQI had fluctuated between ‘very severe,’ ‘severe,’ ‘very poor,’ and ‘poor’ categories, especially post-Diwali. Residents complained of breathing difficulties and other health problems, leading to the implementation of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)-IV measures.
Stage IV of GRAP enforced a ban on Delhi-registered BS-IV and below diesel-operated medium goods vehicles (MGVs) and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), except for essential services.
Temperature Trends
The minimum temperature dipped to 9°C today, signaling the onset of winter. The IMD has predicted temperatures to remain around this level for the next five days. On November 29 and 30, the minimum temperature was recorded at 11°C.
Supreme Court’s Intervention
On Monday, the Supreme Court declined to relax GRAP-IV measures. A bench comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and A.G. Masih noted that none of the NCR states—Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh—complied with directions to compensate construction workers affected by the measures.
The bench directed the Chief Secretaries of these states to attend the next hearing virtually and clarified that relaxations would only be considered after observing a consistent downward trend in pollution levels.
Meanwhile, air quality in Agra improved to the ‘satisfactory’ category. Visuals showed a golden hue complementing the iconic Taj Mahal, providing a picturesque view for residents and tourists alike.