Delhi’s morning air quality remains ‘very poor’
New Delhi, India - Delhi’s air quality remained in the ‘very poor’ category on Sunday morning with an overall air quality index (AQI) at 350.
According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), the AQI in the overall Delhi region was in the ‘very poor’ cat
egory at 350. In the Delhi University area and Pusa the
AQI remained at 372 and 343 respectively. In Lodhi Road area, its was at 326.
Further, near IIT Delhi, the AQI was at 303, at Mathura Road 364 and around Delhi airport 349.
Morning walkers, cyclists, and joggers working out near India Gate were seen affected
due to the dip in the air quality.
Earlier on Saturday evening, several parts of the national capital fell into the ‘severe’ category of AQI. The AQI in the
Anand Vihar area on Saturday evening was recorded at 457 which falls under the ‘severe’
category. Air quality in the adjoining Noida was also in the ‘severe’ category.
The air quality in the national capital is also affected because
of stubble burning in surrounding Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan in the winter.
Meanwhile, Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and adjoining areas has intensified its efforts to ensure enforcement and compliance with its directions in view of deteriorating air quality in Delhi.
The Commission has issued closure directions to 45 coalbased industrial units in Rajasthan. Further, 32 coal-based units (nine in Haryana and 23 in UP) have been closed down permanently. As many as 48 units (eight in Haryana and 40 in UP) have temporarily suspended their operations till
these units are converted to approved fuels.