Delhi air quality reaches worst levels in 287 days
The city's Air Quality Index hit 605 on Wednesday morning as multiple monitoring stations reported severe pollution levels.
Delhi's air quality deteriorated sharply on Wednesday, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 605 at 7:41 AM, according to reports from Rediff and The News Mill. This marks a significant decline from Tuesday, when the index settled at 350, the highest level recorded in 287 days since January 20.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed several areas in the capital recorded severe pollution. High readings were noted at Punjabi Bagh with an AQI of 452, RK Puram at 423, Dhaula Kuan at 417, ITO at 418, and Ghazipur at 410. IIT Delhi recorded a station-level AQI of 458, while Jahangirpuri and Punjabi Bagh both reached 448.
The Decision Support System (DSS) identified transport emissions at 15.8 per cent and stubble burning at 15.3 per cent as significant contributors to the pollution. On Wednesday, PM10 became the dominant pollutant, replacing PM2.5, which was the primary pollutant during the preceding three days.
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav stated that the air quality panel is monitoring meteorological factors like wind speed and direction. He noted that approximately 40 per cent of paddy stubble has been managed through ex-situ methods this season.
Following the decline in air quality, police conducted vehicle checks at the Delhi-Gurugram border as Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) remains in effect. The Air Quality Early Warning System predicts that pollution levels will stay in the very poor to severe range for the coming days, with a potential shift into the severe category between November 6 and 7.