Anand Vihar tops ‘very poor’ chart

With Diwali fast approaching, Delhi’s air quality continues to deteriorate. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the air quality index (AQI) spiked to 242 at 5:30 am on Friday morning, remaining in the ‘poor’ category. The temperature at the time was 18.2 degrees Celsius.

Several areas recorded AQI levels above 300, which means that the air quality in these localities has turned ‘very poor’. The highest AQI was recorded in Anand Vihar at 370, followed by Wazirpur at 328, Jahangirpuri at 324, Chandni Chowk at 310 and Dwarka Sector 8 at 305.

Meanwhile, the AQI remained ‘poor’ in several areas of the city. In Nehru Nagar, AQI was recorded at 269, IGI Airport (T3) at 221, Rohini at 245, Pusa at 224 and India Gate at 200.

Meanwhile, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in Delhi-NCR activated Stage I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on Tuesday, which is applicable when AQI ranges between 201 and 300. Under this stage, 27 preventive measures are enforced, including the use of anti-smog guns, water sprinkling, and dust suppression during road construction, repair and maintenance activities.