Delhi AQI: The national capital opened its eyes to a choking haze on Sunday morning as Delhi’s air quality plunged to alarming levels. At 7 am, the city recorded an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 381, placing it firmly in the ‘very poor’ category. Many places recorded an AQI of 400 according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Thick smog hung over streets and monuments turning the cityscape into a blurred canvas.
Bawana in northwest Delhi recorded the day’s highest pollution at an AQI of 435, a level considered ‘severe.’ On the other end, NSIT Dwarka had the least polluted air, though still unhealthy, with an AQI of 313.
Delhi’s air quality remained in the ‘very poor’ category on Saturday morning, recording an average AQI of 359, according to data from the Air Quality Early Warning System. Despite a slight improvement from Friday’s average AQI of 364, a thick layer of toxic smog continued to… pic.x.com/iQlNyYvXS0
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Other areas such as Anand Vihar (429), Chandani Chowk (390), RK Puram (397), ITO (384), Punjabi Bagh (411), Patparganj (401), Pusa (360), Dwarka Sector-8 (386) were all enveloped in dense haze.
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Iconic landmarks including India Gate and Kartavya Path were barely visible through the toxic veil with the AQI hovering around 388.
Air quality in Delhi has remained stubbornly poor despite the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage IV restrictions came in place to curb pollution. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for NCR and adjoining areas recently revised GRAP measures downgrading some Stage IV actions to Stage III.
The move allows state governments and Delhi authorities to decide whether offices (public, municipal, private) can operate at half capacity with the rest of the workforce working from home. The central government may also consider similar work-from-home arrangements for its employees.