Delhi-NCR wakes up to toxic smog as air continues to be ‘very poor’ at 341 AQI; Check area-wise pollution levels

Despite a slight improvement in air quality, Delhi’s air remained in the ‘very poor’ category on Saturday morning, with the national capital region recording an average AQI of 341, according to Delhi’s air quality early warning system. Air quality improved by 28 points on Friday, with an average AQI of 369.

Delhiites spent nearly half of November in toxic smog in the ‘very bad’ or ‘severe’ category and their breathing difficulties did not end after the removal of curbs under the Gradual Action Respect Plan-3 (GRAP 3).

While people still went out for their daily early morning walks, India Gate and Kartavya Road continued to be shrouded in a layer of toxic smog recording an AQI of 346. There was a thick layer of smoke in Anand Vihar and Dhaula Kuan too and vehicles continued to ply on the roads.

According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Alipur, Anand Vihar and Aya Nagar recorded AQI of 319, 354 and 324 respectively in the ‘very poor’ category; PM 2.5 was the dominant pollutant across the National Capital Region (NCR).

Industrial areas in the national capital region had an AQI slightly higher than today’s average; Bawana recorded ‘very poor’ air quality with an AQI of 364, Narela recorded an AQI of 387 and Okhla Phase 2 recorded an AQI of 340. Meanwhile, Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI Airport) area recorded slightly better Air quality and managed to be in the ‘poor’ category with an AQI of 295.

Local people expressed concerns about their health, saying that they had difficulty breathing and itchy eyes due to the deterioration of air quality. Some have even expressed concern about volcanic ash that could come from Ethiopia following the volcanic eruption.

Atul, who came to cycle Kartavya Road, told ANI, “Nothing is visible around here. I didn’t wear a mask today, I thought I could do it, but as soon as I went out, I felt it; my eyes got irritated, I put the mask on again and went out. It is very difficult to live here.”

“You can see their efforts on social media, but you don’t see much on the ground,” the cyclist said of the government’s response to reducing pollution.

But another local, Bhavya Bansal, said she felt the government was trying to reduce pollution rather than raise concerns about the volcanic eruption.

“There is pollution, but if we see that the government is also working, we can also see the work being done. But it seems that the ashes of the erupting volcano can worsen (air quality) further,” he told ANI.

Comparing the AQI of other cities, Bansal told ANI that he felt he had to “stretch his breath more” in Delhi: “Compared to other cities I have traveled to, it seems like I have to stretch a lot more to breathe properly here. But I don’t feel any health problems at the moment.”

Four days ago, the Air Quality Commission lifted GRAP 3 measures across Delhi due to improved air quality and GRAP 2 measures were implemented across NCR. However, Delhi’s weather remained in the ‘very poor’ category.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta earlier on Friday reaffirmed the government’s efforts to reduce pollution, saying they were monitoring the situation regularly and taking appropriate steps on a daily basis.

Speaking to reporters, CM Rekha Gupta said, “The government is monitoring the situation on a daily basis and taking appropriate steps on a regular basis to reduce pollution. The steps we are taking today will yield results in the future.”As for the ash clouds reaching India from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi Volcano, environmentalist Vimlendu Jha had earlier said that it “will not immediately impact” Delhi’s AQI.

“The impact of these clouds can be seen in the Himalayas, the Tarai region (a lowland region of flat, alluvial soil that forms a belt along the Nepal-India border) and even parts of China.” he said.

Meanwhile, the issue of air pollution appears to have reached Parliament again with the winter session set to begin on December 1, with the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha demanding a debate on the air pollution crisis in the house. Rahul Gandhi, in an X post, questioned the Centre, claiming there was “no urgency, plan or accountability” on the air pollution issue.

She wrote: “Every mother I meet tells me the same thing: Her child is growing up breathing toxic air. They are exhausted, scared and angry. Modi ji, India’s children are drowning in front of us. How can you remain silent? Why does your government show no urgency, plan or accountability?”

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by DNA staff and is published from ANI)