For the third consecutive day, Delhi’s air quality remained in the ‘very poor’ category, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 349 as recorded by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on Saturday at 7 AM.
Key AQI levels in various parts of Delhi included:
- Alipur: 351
- Burari Crossing: 351
- DTU: 377
- ITO: 328
Thick smog engulfed iconic areas like Connaught Place, India Gate, and Anand Vihar, affecting visibility and health.
Public Reactions
Residents expressed their concerns over the deteriorating air quality:
- A cyclist near India Gate said, “The pollution is a lot; we are not able to breathe properly. The government needs to do something about this. The situations are worse for the elderly people and labourers who cannot work under such conditions.”
- A pedestrian urged for EV adoption and improved stubble-burning technologies, stating, “The government should work on the vehicles and try to shift the current transportation to EV cars. The government should also learn about better technologies for stubble burning.”
- Amol, a school student, highlighted the lack of accountability among the public, saying, “People are starting to normalize the situation, and that is worrisome. There is no accountability for the rules set by the government. Citizens must take responsibility too.”
AQI Categories
- 0-50: Good
- 51-100: Satisfactory
- 101-200: Moderate
- 201-300: Poor
- 301-400: Very Poor
- 401-500: Severe
The worsening air quality calls for urgent measures to protect public health and mitigate environmental damage.