A layer of smog covered Delhi-NCR Saturday morning, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national Capital showing a 'poor' rating two days after the Diwali celebrations amid a government-imposed ban on firecrackers.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi's average AQI was 294 at 7:30 A.M. on Saturday. As many as 18 areas reported AQI levels above 300-a 'very poor' category.
The worst-polluted areas were Anand Vihar (380), IGI Airport (341), RK Puram (340), and Punjabi Bagh (335). It was also recorded in 19 other areas between AQI levels of 200 and 300, with 'poor' quality of air, that is, Alipur (295), Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (284), and Mundka (288).
Faridabad in Haryana stood at a 'moderate' AQI level at 165, and 'poor' AQI at 219 was witnessed in Gurugram, neighboring Delhi.
The Air Quality Index levels in Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad stand at 308, or 'very poor', at Greater Noida, while Noida reported its AQI touch 250 indicating overall 'poor' quality in air across the city.
The National Capital Region remained worrying over air quality even as the day after the festive activities, it was rated as 'very poor.' It came a day after when Delhi and Noida neighbours continued to burst crackers on Friday night, while there was a complete ban and appeals from the government.
Delhi has been seeing the deteriorating air quality over the past few weeks primarily due to stubble burning and weak wind circulation.
The Delhi government had prohibited firecrackers from 14th October through January 1, 2025, and had also placed 377 enforcement teams to handle this.
Reports indicate that several residents violated the restrictions over the Diwali celebrations, hence contaminating the poor air around the region. The government has sent 377 teams of enforcement into the region to implement the ban rigidly.
The AQI ranges between 0-50 is 'good' 51-100'satisfactory, '101-200'moderate, '201-300'poor, '301-400'very poor', '401-500'extremely severe.
