Delhi air quality ‘very poor’, AQI at 331; no relief from high pollution levels for next few days
Marginal improvement on November 19, Sunday, but major relief from high pollution levels is unlikely over the next few days. Delhi registered 13.4 degree Celsius temperature today with 1500 metres visibility as per IMD.
According to data from CPCB, a ‘very poor’ air quality was recorded at these stations in Delhi – Jahangirpuri, where AQI stood at 395, in Punjabi Bagh AQI, stood at 388; in Rohini AQI stood at 381; in Nehru Nagar AQI stood at 376; in Anand Vihar AQI stood at 364; in Sonia Vihar AQI stood at 359, and in Patparganj AQI stood at 358. Stations with ‘poor’ air quality include Pusa, Vivek Vihar, Noida Sector-1, Dilshad Garden and Lodhi Road.
The national capital had been suffering from ‘very poor’ to ‘severe’ pollution levels for the past few weeks due to stubble-burning incidents in neighbouring states, vehicular emissions and unfavourable weather conditions that exacerbated the problem. In Punjab, around 932 FIRs have been registered against farmers for burning crop residue since November 8.
In 7,405 cases, a fine of ₹1.67 crore has been imposed. The Supreme Court on November 7 directed Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to ensure crop residue burning was stopped “forthwith".
The Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM), a statutory body responsible for formulating strategies to combat pollution in the region had put in place certain measures including allowing only CNG, electric and BS VI-compliant vehicles from other states to enter Delhi along with the implementation of Stage IV GRAP to combat pollution. However, on November 18, the Centre removed the ban on construction work related to linear projects and the entry of polluting trucks into Delhi
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