Delhi AQI today: A blanket of dense smog engulfed Delhi on Saturday morning. The city’s air quality index (AQI) stood at 397 at 10 am, placing it firmly in the ‘very poor’ range and raising concerns over visibility, health risks and disruptions to daily life. Amid low visibility conditions, Delhi Airport issued an advisory stating that flight operations were currently normal. “Low visibility procedures are in progress at Delhi Airport. All flight operations are presently normal. Passengers are requested to contact the airline concerned for updated flight information,” the airport said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the 24-hour average AQI at 4 pm on Friday was recorded at 349, also in the ‘very poor’ category. While the overall air quality across the national capital remained ‘very poor’, several areas breached the ‘severe’ mark with AQI readings crossing 400 at 8 am on Saturday.
Area-wise AQI levels
CPCB data showed Wazirpur recording an AQI of 445, followed by Jahangirpuri at 442, Vivek Vihar at 442 and Rohini at 436.
Other hotspots reporting ‘severe’ air quality included Anand Vihar (435), Burari Crossing (415), Chandni Chowk (419), Ghazipur (435), RK Puram (404) and Rohini (436), indicating widespread pollution across the city.
Poor air to persist over next few days
Pollution levels in the city are expected to remain in the ‘very poor to severe’ range over the next few days, news agency PTI reported. Air quality in the National Capital Region (NCR) also continued to be poor, with Gurugram recording an AQI of 317, Noida at 448, Meerut at 368 and Faridabad’s Sector 11 at 351.
The Decision Support System (DSS) for Delhi’s Air Quality Management identified transport as the largest contributor to air pollution on Friday, accounting for 16.5 per cent. This was followed by construction activities at 2.2 per cent and waste burning at 1.4 per cent.
Earlier on Friday morning, Delhi’s AQI stood at 332 in the ‘very poor’ category, with 30 monitoring stations reporting similar levels.
CAQM to set up expert panel on vehicular emissions
Meanwhile, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR and adjoining areas announced that it will set up an expert panel of academicians and health specialists to devise strategies to curb pollution. The panel will be led by Ashok Jhunjhunwala, Professor at IIT Madras, and will focus on addressing air pollution caused by vehicular emissions in the Delhi-NCR region.
According to CAQM, the panel will consult various stakeholders and submit its recommendations within two months.