Delhi air quality hits worst level in 287 days with AQI at 350
Ten monitoring stations in the capital reported severe pollution levels on Tuesday as PM2.5 emerged as the primary pollutant.
Delhi recorded its worst air quality in 287 days on Tuesday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 350, according to reports from The New Indian Express, The Pioneer and Deccan Chronicle. The city had not seen a higher reading since January 20 this year, when the index was 378.
Of the 57 monitoring stations across the capital, 10 reported severe pollution, 35 were in the very poor category, and 12 were classified as poor. Jahangirpuri saw the highest pollution levels with an AQI of 462, which falls in the severe range.
PM2.5 was identified as the main pollutant. These fine particles, measuring 2.5 micrometres or less, can enter the bloodstream and penetrate deep into the lungs.
The city was placed under Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on Monday after the AQI hit 324. The Air Quality Early Warning System has forecast that conditions will likely remain in the very poor category until November 6, with a six-day outlook suggesting very poor to severe levels.
The Decision Support System (DSS) noted that stubble burning accounted for 15.3 per cent of Delhi's pollution. Satellite data showed 219 paddy residue-burning incidents across several states on November 2, including 98 in Punjab and 67 in Rajasthan.
To encourage public transport use, the NCRTC is introducing 20 extra trips on the Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat corridor starting Wednesday between Sarai Kale Khan and Modipuram.