Delhi Wakes up to 'Severe' Air Quality, AQI Over 400; Mumbai's Remains in 'Moderate' Category

The residents of Delhi found no relief from toxic air as the national capital’s air quality index (AQI) remained in the ‘severe’ category on Friday morning. In Noida and Greater Noida, the air quality stayed in ‘very poor’ category.

A layer of haze surrounded the national capital on Friday morning.

Delhi’s 24-hour average AQI which is recorded at 4:00 pm every day, was 419 on Thursday.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), several places like Anand Vihar, RK Puram, IGI Airport and Dwarka reported AQI crossing the 400-mark at 5:00 am.

AQI recorded at various places in Delhi-NCR –

• Anand Vihar – 447
• RK Puram – 465
• IGI Airport – 467
• Dwarka – 490
• Noida Sector-125 -352
• Knowledge Park – III in Greater Noida – 314
• Gurugram Sector 51 – 444

Despite stringent bans on construction works, burning of firecrackers and the entry of diesel-guzzling trucks into the city to curb air pollution, the city’s air quality dropped significantly over the past few days.

On Thursday, the Delhi government set up a six-member task force to ensure strict implementation of the Centre’s air pollution control plan GRAP in the national capital, Environment Minister Gopal Rai stated.

On the other hand, Mumbai’s air quality continued to remain in the moderate category with an AQI of 168 on Thursday morning, according to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) data.

Several parts of the city, however, reported ‘very poor’ air quality, as per the SAFAR data.

AQI recorded at various places in Mumbai-

• Borivali – 159 (Moderate)
• Andheri – 95 (Satisfactory)
• Worli – 109
• Bhandup – 100
• Colaba – 154
• Mazagaon – 178
• Malad, Bandra-Kurla Complex (Kalanagar) and Navi Mumbai – 200+

An AQI between 0 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.