Air quality in the national capital worsened significantly on Sunday, with most areas recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) well above the “very poor” threshold, raising health concerns among residents. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported an overall AQI of 364 for Delhi at 7 AM today.
The AQI readings across several parts of the city reflected the severity of the pollution levels. In New Moti Bagh, the AQI stood at 352, while RK Puram recorded an even higher level of 380. Other affected areas include Vivek Vihar with an AQI of 388, Dwarka Sector 8 at 385, and Lodhi Road at 330. These levels fall under the “very poor” category, with prolonged exposure likely to impact residents’ respiratory health, especially those with pre-existing conditions.
In some areas, the situation was even more alarming. The AQI at Nehru Nagar and Anand Vihar, both in East Delhi, remained in the “severe” category, with levels recorded at 431 and 427, respectively. The “severe” AQI range poses serious health risks for the entire population, particularly the elderly, children, and individuals with respiratory and cardiac issues. Burari, another densely populated area, recorded an AQI of 385, also in the “very poor” category.
The surge in the pollution level can be attributed to the widespread use of firecrackers despite a citywide ban, many residents didn’t follow the norms. The expected ”severe” AQI levels were not recorded because of the favourable wind conditions that helped in dispersing the pollutants. On Diwali, Delhi’s AQI was at 339 level while it further increased to 362 the next day.
Meanwhile, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced that the government will deploy around 200 mobile anti-smog guns across the city to tackle dust pollution. Speaking to ANI on Saturday, Rai emphasized that the Delhi government is actively working on multiple fronts to reduce rising pollution levels.
To specifically address dust pollution, these anti-smog guns will operate citywide in three shifts, each lasting eight hours, ensuring that water is sprayed in every assembly constituency to control dust particles. “Our teams are consistently targeting dust pollution, vehicle emissions, and biomass burning on the ground,” he added.
(With inputs from PTI)
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