Air quality crisis in Delhi: AQI hits ‘severe’ category

On Friday, a thick haze kept enveloping Delhi as the air quality deteriorated a day after it had tipped into the severe category for the first time this season. This prompted mitigation measures, including a ban on the use of older vehicles.

New Delhi's severe air pollution

For two consecutive days, New Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) remained in the ‘severe’ category, with a reading of 466, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board. The highest AQI was recorded in Mundka at 498, closely followed by Bawana at 496.

This is the first time this season that Delhi’s air quality has fallen into the ‘severe’ category. In response to the AQI exceeding 400, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on Thursday that all primary schools would be closed for the next two days.

The poor air quality is attributed to a combination of factors including low wind speed and smoke from stubble burning, which exacerbated the effects of local emissions. As a result, the AQI deteriorated throughout Thursday, starting at an average of 351 at 10 am and reaching 402 by 5 pm. By 9 pm, it had further deteriorated to 418.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has invoked Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the city, banning non-essential construction activities and imposing restrictions on certain categories of vehicles. A fine of Rs 20,000 will be imposed on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles.

Mumbai's moderate AQI and air purifiers

Meanwhile, Mumbai’s AQI was recorded at 171 on Friday morning, categorizing it as ‘moderate.’ The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) plans to install air purifiers across five locations where numerous construction projects are underway. Dust from these construction and demolition works is a major contributor to pollution in Mumbai.

The BMC has already started issuing notices to several contractors and real estate firms involved in private and government projects in the city. These firms have been given one month to acquire sprinklers and fogging machines for their construction sites.

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