• By Kamal Kumar
  • Sun, 20 Oct 2024 09:33 AM (IST)
  • Source:JND

Delhi Air Pollution: With the festivities of Diwali around the corner, the Delhi air quality started deteriorating again like in previous years. A thick layer of smog was witnessed over Delhi-NCR on Sunday morning with several areas clocking an AQI above 400. The Akshardham temple and surrounding region recorded an air quality index of 353, while in Anand Vihar, the AQI plummeted to 454 - which is considered 'very poor' as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) norms.

In Nehru Park and adjoining areas, an AQI of 254 was recorded which comes under the 'poor' category and is considered harmful for people with breathing issues. A tally of AQI at various Delhi-NCR locations has been given below.

Earlier on Saturday, the average air quality index of the capital remained in the poor category, but out of 36 pollution monitoring centres in Delhi, the air quality was recorded as 'very poor' at 11 places and the air quality in Anand Vihar was recorded in the 'severe' category.

In the wake of dwindling air quality and rising air pollution, the Delhi Government has enforced stage 1 of the 'Graded Response Action Plan' (GRAP), a regulatory measure to curb pollution during peak periods.

Noida Remains Third Most Polluted NCR City

Noida is also facing the problem of high levels of air pollution with the coming of winter. On Saturday, the Noida AQI dipped to 229, making it the third most polluted NCR city after Delhi and Ghaziabad.

Ghaziabad Air Quality In Poor Category

Despite the enforcement of the GRAP-1 measures, Ghaziabad witnessed 'poor' air quality throughout the day. While the average AQI was 253 in the city, some areas such as Loni witnessed AQI dipping to the 'very poor' category. The plummeting air quality has already started to cause health problems for the residents with people, especially the elderly and children, facing breathing difficulties and eye problems.