New Delhi, December 10: The air quality in Delhi remained in the ‘poor’ category on Tuesday, with a thin layer of smog reducing visibility in parts of the city. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital was recorded at 224 at 8 a.m.
Air Quality Data Across Key Locations
Several areas in Delhi reported ‘poor’ AQI levels, including:
- ITO: 254
- Alipur: 214
- Chandni Chowk: 216
- Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium: 203
Meanwhile, some areas showed relatively better air quality in the ‘moderate’ category:
- DTU: 169
- Lodhi Road: 123
- Najafgarh: 142
In contrast, neighboring Uttar Pradesh’s Lucknow recorded an AQI of 256, also in the ‘poor’ category.
AQI Categories
- Good (0-50): Minimal impact on air quality
- Satisfactory (51-100): Minor impact
- Moderate (101-200): Acceptable but some concerns for sensitive groups
- Poor (201-300): Potential health impacts for vulnerable groups
- Very Poor (301-400): Significant health risks
- Severe (401-500): Hazardous
Smog and Recent Trends
On Monday, Delhi’s air quality also remained ‘poor,’ with an overall AQI of 231. Key areas such as Dwarka Sector 8 and Mundka reported AQI levels of 291 and 315, respectively, while Pusa and Lodhi Road recorded better air quality at 170 and 154.
Supreme Court and CAQM Actions
The Supreme Court recently allowed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to relax Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage IV restrictions in Delhi-NCR, downgrading them to Stage II in light of marginal improvements in air quality. Following the court’s direction, the CAQM revoked Stages IV and III but retained Stages II and I across the NCR region.
Despite this partial relaxation, the persistence of poor air quality highlights the ongoing challenges of pollution in Delhi during winter months.