New Delhi: The air quality in the national capital and adjoining areas worsened post Diwali as NCR residents defied the ban imposed on firecrackers. The AQI is some areas even dipped to severe category early on Friday morning. The overall AQI of Delhi was recorded at 317 in the ‘very poor’ category, as per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.
The CPCB added that the air quality in Anand Vihar area of Delhi was in “very poor” zone, with an AQI of 395 at 6 am on Friday. A thick blanket of smog covered Delhi, Gurugram, and Noida, and other parts of the national capital region. Visibility also dipped in the region due to the smog.
Area-Wise AQI Data for Delhi Today (PM2.5)
- Anand Vihar: 395
- Burari Crossing: 394
- Chandni Chowk: 336
- Dwarka-Sector 8: 375
- IGI Airport (T3): 375
- Jahangirpuri: 387
- Mundka: 370
- RK Puram: 395
- Ashok Vihar: 324 (PM10 pollutant)
To note, 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.
NCR residents defy cracker ban
Despite a blanket ban being imposed by the Delhi government on manufacture, storage, selling and bursting of firecrackers, several areas in east and west Delhi flouted the restrictions. The Delhi government had even set up 377 enforcement teams to ensure compliance, but to no avail. The 24-hour average AQI of Delhi was recorded at 330 on November 1, up from 307 a day earlier.
Meanwhile, adjoining cities like Ghaziabad, Noida, and Gurugram, fared relatively better on the AQI chart. The air quality in these cities was recorded in “poor” category, wherein Faridabad recorded an even better AQI of 181 in moderate category on Thursday night.
