Delhi pollution: Air quality remains in 'severe' category

Air quality in New Delhi continued to remain in the ‘severe’ category as a thick layer of smoke and haze engulfed the city on Saturday.

Early on Saturday, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 413 (severe category), data from the Central Pollution Control Board showed.

#WATCH | Thick layer of smog engulfs Delhi as Air Quality continues to be in the ‘Severe’ category

(Visuals from India Gate) pic.twitter.com/iZ5rvjj5Rh

— ANI (@ANI) November 4, 2023

The national capital’s air quality plunged to 468 on Friday from 392 on Thursday owing to northwesterly winds that carry pollutants from the stubble fire from nearby states.

#WATCH | Delhi: Morning visuals from Anand Vihar as the AQI in the area stands at 448, in the ‘Severe’ category as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). pic.twitter.com/tBs1YWaY3n

— ANI (@ANI) November 4, 2023

An AQI between O and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400 very poor, and 401 and 500 severe and above 500, it is hazardous.

Delhi LG holds emergency meeting

Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena held a meeting with Environment Minister Gopal Rai amid severe air pollution in the city on Friday, in which a decision was taken to appeal neighbouring states, particularly Punjab, to check paddy stubble burning.

The government will also adopt interim measures like issuing advisories by the Environment department asking people, especially children and the elderly, to take extra care and remain indoors as far as possible, preparedness by the Health Department and optimal use of mechanised road sweepers, water sprinklers and anti-smog guns.

The strict implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on the ground was also decided in the same meeting.

“It was decided to appeal to the neighbouring states, especially Punjab, which accounted for 1,921 (71.57 per cent) incidents of parali (stubble) burning out of a total of 2,684 such events on November 1, to curtail crop residue burning by incentivising farmers so that the resultant smoke in the region could be checked,” said the statement.