Delhi’s air continues to choke as pollution levels remain high for the fourth day in a row. The national capital recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 254 on Friday, keeping it in the ‘poor’ category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Delhi’s Air Turns Toxic Again
The rising pollution levels have cast a shadow over Diwali celebrations. Visuals from across the city showed hazy skies and reduced visibility. At key landmarks such as India Gate and Akshardham, air quality readings remained in the ‘poor’ category.
Out of 38 CPCB monitoring stations, five recorded ‘very poor’ air quality. Anand Vihar topped the list with an AQI of 382, followed by Wazirpur (351), Jahangirpuri (342), Bawana (315), and Siri Fort (309). Officials said Delhi’s air quality began deteriorating from October 14 and continues to worsen every day.
Neighboring Cities Also Choke
The air quality in nearby NCR cities was no better. Ghaziabad recorded an AQI of 306, the highest in the country on Friday, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category. Noida (278) and Gurugram (266) also fell under ‘poor’, while Faridabad (105) stayed in the ‘moderate’ range.
According to CPCB data, Ghaziabad, Noida, Gurugram, and Delhi were among India’s top 10 most polluted cities on Friday.
Why Delhi’s Air Is Getting Worse
Data from the Decision Support System (DSS) shows that transport emissions contributed 17.9 per cent of Delhi’s total pollution on Friday, making it the single largest source. Stubble burning also added to the problem, with 20 incidents in Punjab, 2 in Haryana, and 49 in Uttar Pradesh reported via satellite data.
Dust and low wind speed have worsened the pollution situation. To tackle this, authorities have deployed truck-mounted water sprinklers across major intersections to control dust levels.
Poor Air Quality to Continue
According to the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi, pollution levels are expected to remain in the ‘poor to very poor’ range in the coming days. Experts say the situation could worsen further as winter sets in, trapping pollutants near the ground.
On the weather front, the maximum temperature was 32.6°C and the minimum 18.4°C, both slightly below normal. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast misty mornings over the weekend, with no significant change in temperature.
