Delhi’s Air Quality Remains ‘Severe’ Despite Marginal Improvement; Efforts Underway to Tackle Pollution Crisis

Despite a marginal improvement in certain areas due to moderate rainfall, Delhi’s overall air quality continued to persist in the ‘severe’ category on Friday morning, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research (SAFAR-India) reported severe Air Quality Index (AQI) levels in key locations:

Ashok Vihar: AQI 462 (Severe)

RK Puram: AQI 461 (Severe)

Punjab Bagh: AQI 460 (Severe)

ITO: AQI 464 (Severe)

Gurugram: AQI 416 (Severe)

Faridabad: AQI 457 (Severe)

Noida: AQI 375 (Very Poor)

However, there was a slight improvement in AQI at certain places such as Indira Gandhi International Airport (AQI 391, Very Poor) and Lodhi Road (AQI 398, Very Poor) following the moderate rainfall.

The Delhi government is actively implementing anti-pollution measures, with ministers from the Aam Aadmi Party inspecting initiatives on the ground. Additionally, the government is exploring the possibility of ‘artificial rain’ as a strategy to address the pollution crisis. Currently, Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has been initiated in the national capital in response to the deteriorating air quality, which had earlier reached the ‘severe plus’ category.

Despite these efforts, Delhi continues to grapple with severe air pollution, necessitating ongoing measures to mitigate the environmental challenges faced by the city.