Delhi's Air Quality Remains Poor, AQI At 256

The overall air quality in Delhi on Thursday remained in 'poor,' category with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 256, according to data from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) in India.

The most recent SAFAR data showed that the air quality around Delhi University was at 316 (very poor) in the morning hours, while in the IIT area, it registered at 256.

In neighboring regions, Gurugram recorded an average AQI of 176 (moderate), and Noida had an AQI of 256 (poor), as reported by Safar India. Delhi's average AQI stood at 252 at 8 pm on Wednesday, compared to 220 at 11 am on Tuesday, which subsequently dropped to 216 at 9 pm.

Efforts to mitigate pollution included the use of an anti-smog gun to spray water in the Anand Vihar area on Thursday morning, as seen in visuals shared by the news agency ANI.

Local residents expressed their concerns about the deteriorating air quality, with one resident, Bhagwati Prasad, saying, "The pollution situation is very poor. There is coughing and burning in the throat for the last few days. There seems to be no solution as it happens every year."

On Wednesday, Delhi's environment minister, Gopal Rai, announced the relaunch of the "Red Light on Gaadi Off" campaign to combat vehicular pollution in the national capital. He also urged neighboring states to ban firecrackers ahead of the upcoming Diwali, taking into consideration the measures implemented in the city to address pollution.

The Centre's Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi indicated that the city's air quality is expected to fluctuate between the poor and very poor categories in the coming days, with the approach of the festive and winter season. Additionally, several incidents of firecracker burning were reported in parts of Delhi during Dussehra on Tuesday.

Moreover, the second phase of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has been put into effect in Delhi to counter the increased pollution levels. GRAP-2 restrictions include a ban on coal and wood-fired stoves, increased use of CNG and electric buses, regular road cleaning, water sprinkling, and traffic police measures to prevent traffic jams and reduce pollution.

The deterioration in air quality was attributed to factors such as a drop in temperature and wind speed, which allowed pollutants to accumulate. Unfavorable meteorological conditions, emissions from firecrackers and paddy straw burning, and local sources of pollution typically contribute to the worsening air quality in Delhi-NCR during Diwali.