New Delhi: Delhi’s air quality showed some improvement on Tuesday morning but remained in the ‘very poor’ category, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 307 at 7 am, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
The improvement comes a day after several monitoring stations across the national capital reported AQI levels in the ‘severe’ category, with readings crossing 400 following Diwali celebrations on Sunday.
Chandni Chowk recorded the highest AQI in Delhi at 395, followed by Safdarjung at 371, Punjabi Bagh at 355 and Aya Nagar at 354. RK Puram registered an AQI of 328, all falling in the ‘very poor’ category.
Several other areas reported comparatively lower pollution levels. Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 290, while Ashok Vihar registered 278 and Narela 272. India Gate and Kartavya Path both reported an AQI of 258. These locations were in the ‘poor’ category.
Delhi weather conditions and pollution control measures
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded a morning temperature of 17 degrees Celsius in Delhi, accompanied by moderate fog. It has forecast moderate fog to continue over the next five days.
The source report attributed the persistent pollution to a combination of falling temperatures and moderate fog. Meanwhile, the Delhi government has been deploying water sprinklers across the city as part of its pollution-control measures.
AQI in Ambala and Maharashtra
Outside Delhi, Ambala in Haryana recorded an overall AQI of 250, placing it in the ‘poor’ category, according to CPCB data.
Maharashtra’s overall AQI stood at 146, which falls in the ‘moderate’ category.
What are the different AQI categories?
According to the CPCB classification, the AQI is divided into six categories:
- Good: 0–50
- Satisfactory: 51–100
- Moderate: 101–200
- Poor: 201–300
- Very Poor: 301–400
- Severe: 401–500
Delhi’s overall reading of 307 therefore remains in the ‘very poor’ category, despite the improvement from the severe levels recorded at several monitoring stations on Monday.
