Delhi air quality reaches hazardous levels with AQI at 494
Dense fog and pollution reduced visibility across the national capital on Friday morning as several areas recorded severe pollution.
Delhi's air quality deteriorated to hazardous levels on Friday morning, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 494 at 7:31 am, according to ANI and The Tribune.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported that several parts of the city recorded severe pollution levels. IIT Delhi recorded an AQI of 488, followed by ITO at 455, Anand Vihar at 419, Rohini at 413, and Rajokri Border at 402.
Other areas reported very poor air quality, including R K Puram at 391, Mandir Marg at 378, Dwarka Expressway at 369, Uttam Nagar at 363, and Lodhi Road at 341. The area around Dhaula Kuan recorded an AQI of 161, which is in the moderate category.
AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged data manipulation in Delhi's pollution levels, claiming actual figures were 49 per cent higher than official government website readings. Citing a Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) report, Bharadwaj said the pollution shown was almost one and a half times higher than reported.
The CREA report noted a 24-hour average jump from 269 to 400 micrograms per cubic metre between 4 pm on November 8 and 4 pm on November 9. Bharadwaj described the situation as a fraud against the 2 crore people of the city.
The Delhi government has been undertaking pollution-control measures, such as deploying water sprinklers across the state, to minimise the impact of particulate matter.