New Delhi: The national capital’s air quality plummeted further on Saturday, nearing the ‘severe’ category as pollution levels crossed the 400-mark at several locations. The worsening air quality has once again highlighted the city’s persistent battle against hazardous smog during the onset of winter.
According to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI), reported at 4 pm, stood at 361 — classified as ‘very poor’. By 6 pm, the AQI further worsened to 372, pushing several monitoring stations into the ‘severe’ zone.
The CPCB’s Sameer app reported that 15 out of Delhi’s 39 stations recorded AQI levels above 400 by evening. Among the most affected areas were Wazirpur and Bawana, both registering 424, followed by Burari Crossing (420), Vivek Vihar (415), and Narela (412). Other severely polluted zones included ITO (408), Jahangirpuri (409), Punjabi Bagh (404), and Patparganj (403).
In the neighbouring National Capital Region (NCR), pollution levels also remained critical. Noida recorded an AQI of 354, Greater Noida 336, and Ghaziabad 339, all falling in the ‘very poor’ category.
The primary pollutants contributing to the smog were PM2.5 and PM10 particles, which continue to remain alarmingly high. On Friday, Delhi had already ranked as the most polluted city in the country with an AQI of 322.
Experts warn that the city’s air quality is likely to remain in the ‘very poor’ range for the next few days. The Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi has attributed the continued deterioration to low wind speeds, stagnant weather conditions, and increased emissions from stubble burning in nearby states.
