Delhi's Air Quality Improves Slightly, But Pollution Remains High

Delhi’s air quality has shown some improvement since Sunday. On Monday morning, the pollution level dropped below the 300-mark, placing the city in the “poor” category.

No Severe Pollution Recorded

By 7:30 am on Monday, none of the 38 monitoring stations in Delhi reported an AQI in the “severe” category. According to the SAMEER app, which tracks air quality updates, the AQI at Lodhi Road was even at a “satisfactory” level.

Key AQI Data for Delhi Today

• Relief in Some Areas: Lodhi Road (IITM) recorded an AQI of 95, which is in the “satisfactory” range. However, hazy conditions persisted across most of Delhi and nearby areas.
• 24-Hour Average AQI: The 24-hour average AQI, measured until 7:30 am, stood at 279, placing it in the “poor” category. This marked a significant improvement from the hazardous 450+ levels recorded on Sunday.

Pollution Levels Across Delhi

• Most Polluted Areas: Shadipur recorded the highest pollution, with an AQI of 347, which is in the “very poor” category.
• Cleaner Areas: Lodhi Road had the lowest AQI at 95, which is considered “satisfactory.”
• Other Areas: RK Puram (275), Sirifort (267), Sri Aurobindo Marg (227), ITO (234), and IGI Airport (260) all had AQIs in the “poor” range.

AQI Categories Explained

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is divided into categories:

• 0-50: Good
• 51-100: Satisfactory
• 101-200: Moderate
• 201-300: Poor
• 301-400: Very Poor
• 401-450: Severe
• Above 450: Severe Plus

PM2.5 was identified as the primary pollutant, with levels reaching 138 at 3 pm.

Stage 4 Restrictions and Air Quality Management

Last Monday, Delhi’s AQI reached 495, the highest of the season. This triggered Stage 4 restrictions under the Supreme Court’s Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). These measures are taken when air quality levels reach hazardous levels.

Weather Forecast for Delhi

The IMD predicts moderate fog for Monday. Temperatures will range from a high of 28°C to a low of 12°C.

In summary, while Delhi’s air quality has improved, pollution remains a serious concern. Continued monitoring and action are essential to address the ongoing problem.