Delhi’s air quality remains in ‘very poor’ category. The average AQI was recorded at 359 on Saturday morning. Despite registering a slight improvement from the average AQI of 364 recorded on Friday, parts of the city remained covered in a layer of toxic smog in the early morning.
The air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 370 in the ‘very poor’ category in the ITO area, where commuters had to spend the day amidst smog. Meanwhile, the air in the Noida area also remained in the ‘severe’ category, with the air quality index (AQI) recorded at 434 in Sector 125, which has seen a slight improvement from Friday.
Air quality remained comparatively better in Greater Noida area; Knowledge Park 5 area recorded 393 AQI, while Knowledge Park 3 recorded 294 AQI, which is in the ‘poor’ category.
According to local people, the increased vehicular movement has really affected the air quality in the area.
The IGI airport area saw some improvement in AQI compared to other areas at 7 am, and the AQI was recorded at 296, which is in the ‘poor’ category.
Dense smoke also blanketed the India Gate area, where the AQI was recorded at 370. At the same time, severe AQI 422 was recorded in Akshardham and surrounding areas.
Meanwhile, the average temperature in the national capital was recorded at 13 degrees Celsius, the lowest recorded on Friday.
However, Bawana, considered an industrial area, recorded ‘severe’ air quality with AQI of 419. Anand Vihar area also recorded an average AQ of 422, while Ashok Vihar recorded 403, Aya Nagar 330 AQ ‘very poor’ and Rohini 414.
Among other areas in the National Capital Region, Gurugram’s Sector 51 recorded an AQI of 323, while Terry Village recorded 212 in the ‘poor’ category and NISE Gwal Hill area recorded 312.
In view of the deteriorating air quality, the Delhi High Court had earlier ordered the cancellation of all outdoor sports events, after school children complained that these toxic winter months are harmful for their lungs and overall health.
Justice Sachin Dutta, hearing the petition filed by minor students, said that the authorities have failed to protect the health of children and they should make changes in the annual sports calendar so that no outdoor events are organized during these toxic months.
Additionally, the Supreme Court directed that subsistence allowance should be provided to construction workers rendered unemployed after the implementation of GRAP-3 in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.
As per the order issued by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in view of air quality, Graded Response Action Plan Phase 3 (GRAP III) is in force in the national capital from November 11. Several measures have been taken aimed at controlling emissions by imposing stringent restrictions on construction, vehicular movement and industrial activities.
