• By Aditya Jha
  • Fri, 01 Nov 2024 03:57 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND

Delhi AQI: Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai on Friday applauded the efforts of Delhi residents for celebrating Diwali in a "responsible" manner that has kept the deteriorating air quality in the national capital in check. Rai emphasised that despite the festival, the Air Quality Index (AQI) remained within the 'very poor’ range rather than escalating to severe levels.

Rai further took a potshot at the neighbouring BJP-ruled states and said that they should also adopt the methodology of the Delhi government to tackle the pollution issue. Rai thanked the residents for not bursting the crackers and rather celebrating the festival of lights with 'diyas'.

“Delhi's air quality has been in the 'Very Poor' category for the past few days. People had predicted that there would be a rise in the level of air pollution in Delhi on the next day of Diwali, but we can see that the pollution level has remained under control. This is the success of the collective efforts of the people of Delhi and all departments,” Gopal Rai was quoted as saying by ANI.

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However, he also pointed out that the air quality would have been better if some people had not violated the ban. "I congratulate the people of Delhi for acting as responsible citizens by lighting diyas and not bursting crackers and contributing towards controlling the pollution levels," he said.

"I hope by next year we will be able to make those who burst firecrackers also understand this. From today, we are increasing the sprinkling of water across Delhi to control air pollution levels...Firecrackers were not burst on a large scale; this indicates the changing mindset of the people of Delhi,” Rai added. 

However, the BJP claimed that the AAP government worked in an "anti-Hindu" style, prohibiting the community from celebrating their festival. The saffron party also said that the situation would have been better if AAP-ruled Punjab could stop its farmers from burning stubbles.

Delhi Air Quality Index On Diwali:

Delhi on Friday morning witnessed a thick layer of haze, with the AQI plunging to 362 in the "very poor" category. This was also Delhi's most polluted Diwali in three years. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on Thursday reported that the 24-hour average AQI was 330, more than the previous two years, as the AQI was 218 in 2023 and 312 in 2022.

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Most monitoring stations in Delhi showed similar pollution levels, with 37 out of 39 reporting air quality in the 'very poor' category. According to the CPCB data, the AQI in Alipur was recorded at 355, Anand Vihar at 396, Ashok Vihar at 389, Aaya Nagar 351, Bawana at 396, Burari at 394 and Mathura Road at 371. At IGI Airport, the AQI was at 371, Dwarka at 376, Jahangirpuri at 390, Mundka at 375, Patparganj at 365, Rohini at 390, Sonia Vihar at 396, and Wazirpur at 390.

An AQI between zero 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'.