DD India

The air quality in Delhi slipped into the ‘poor’ category on today morning. The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 256, according to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR-India).

Delhi’s air quality turned “very poor” on October 22 for the very first time since May, mainly due to a drop in temperature and wind speed, which allowed pollutants to accumulate.

According to the AQI measure scale, air quality index:

Good- 0 to 50
Satisfactory- 51 to 100
Moderate- 101 to 200
Poor- 201 to 300
Very poor- 301 to 400
Severe- 401 <

Earlier, on October 25, the overall air quality in Delhi was recorded in the ‘moderate’ category, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) at 190, as per SAFAR-India. The AQI varied in various regions of the city. It was recorded at 273 in the Delhi University area, 128 in Pusa, 173 at IIT Delhi, 211 in the Airport vicinity, 152 on Mathura Road, and 149 on Lodhi Road. Neighbouring regions also witnessed an improvement yesterday, with Noida recording an AQI of 218 and Gurugram registering an AQI of 169.
Meanwhile, the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) was implemented in Delhi on October 24 to reduce the effect of increased pollution.

Because of plummeting air quality in the national capital, the Delhi government will launch its “Red Light On, Gaadi Off” campaign Today.

The campaign aims to reduce air pollution in the city by encouraging people to turn off their engines when waiting at red lights.

Delhi recorded an AQI of 382 on Diwali last year, 414 in 2020, 337 in 2019, 281 in 2018, 319 in 2017, and 431 in 2016, as per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.

As Diwali is next month, the possibility of a rise in the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi is a growing concern. Last year, Delhi witnessed an AQI of 382 on Diwali, and data from previous years shows a fluctuating trend with values like 414 in 2020, 337 in 2019, 281 in 2018, 319 in 2017, and 431 in 2016, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

This year, the AQI in Delhi was last recorded at 256, as reported by the SAFAR-India. The city is hopeful for better air quality this Diwali, but vigilance and eco-friendly celebrations remain essential to ensure clean air for all.