Delhi air quality worsens as average AQI reaches 331
The city's air quality remained in the very poor category on Tuesday morning with several areas recording severe pollution levels.
Delhi's average Air Quality Index (AQI) rose to 331 at 7 am on Tuesday, according to real-time data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported by Mint. This is an increase from the 307 average recorded at the same time on Monday. PM2.5 has been identified as the primary pollutant.
Out of 58 monitoring stations providing valid readings, 57 recorded AQI levels above 200. Forty-one stations reported readings higher than 300, while eight locations entered the severe category with AQI levels exceeding 400. Jahangirpuri recorded the highest pollution in the city at 449.
Other areas in the severe category included Rohini at 429, Punjabi Bagh at 424, Alipur at 413, and Vivek Vihar at 410. Bawana, Delhi Technological University, and Narela also reported levels above 400. IGNOU-Maidan Garhi recorded the lowest AQI in Delhi at 195.
In the National Capital Region, Noida registered an AQI of 307 and Manesar recorded 302. Gurugram stood at 284, Ghaziabad at 259, and Greater Noida at 213. Faridabad reported a moderate AQI of 111.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has enforced Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR. Under these rules, the use of diesel generator sets for commercial or regular purposes is banned, except for essential services. Additionally, restaurants and hotels cannot use tandoors fuelled by firewood or coal.