Delhi: New Delhi recorded a modest improvement in air quality on Friday, with the city’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) standing at 213 at 8 am, data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed. The reading marked a slight decline from the previous morning’s level of 226, though pollution levels continued to fall in the ‘poor’ category.
Monitoring stations across the capital indicated uneven air conditions. Areas such as Anand Vihar reported an AQI of 260, while RK Puram registered readings between 237 and 239. Pollution levels were also high in ITO (223) and Chandni Chowk (232), keeping these localities in the ‘poor’ bracket.
Some pockets of the city, however, experienced relatively better conditions. Aya Nagar recorded an AQI of 151, Pusa stood at 157, and the Indira Gandhi International Airport’s Terminal 3 showed a reading of 138, all falling under the ‘moderate’ range.
Despite the marginal improvement, a light haze lingered over several parts of the national capital, indicating that pollution levels remain a concern. As per CPCB standards, AQI values between 201 and 300 are considered ‘poor’, while 101 to 200 fall under ‘moderate’.
The India Meteorological Department said Delhi’s temperature was around 13.2 degrees Celsius, with strong surface winds expected during the day. Dense fog was also observed in the early hours, affecting visibility across parts of the city.