Delhi-NCR grapple with 'Very Poor to Poor' air quality despite 15-point plan; AQI in national capital at 309

Delhi, Noida, and Gurugram are in the grip of 'Very Poor' to 'Poor' air quality, with Air Quality Index (AQI) ranging from 221 to 341, sounding the alarm for residents in the National Capital Region (NCR). Despite a 15-point winter action plan to curb the rising pollution, the battle against deteriorating air quality continues. While initiatives like 'Red Light on, Gaadi off' are in motion as vehicular and biomass burning emissions contribute to rising PM2.5 levels, the haze is likely to linger, with 'Very Poor' air quality forecast for the region from October 29 to 31, 2023.

The overall air quality in the national capital on Sunday was recorded in the 'Very Poor' category, as per the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR)-India. The AQI in Delhi was recorded at 309 on Sunday morning. As per the latest data from SAFAR-India, the air quality around Delhi University was recorded at 341 (Very Poor) in the morning hours while in IIT area it was recorded at 300. Similarly, in Lodhi Road area it was recorded at 262 in the 'Poor' category. India Meteorological Department (IMD) in its bulletin on Delhi's Air Quality forecasted predominant surface wind likely from variable directions in Delhi with wind speed 04-08 kmph, resulting in mainly clear sky and mist in the morning on October 29.
Also, coming under the 'Poor' category, the IIT Delhi region recorded an AQI of 300 and in the Mathura Road area, it was recorded at 228.

The quality of air at the Airport (T3) was in the 'Very Poor' category, with an AQI of 323. Meanwhile, Noida recorded an AQI of 317 (Very Poor) and Gurugram 221 (Poor). Earlier on Friday, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that a 15-point winter action plan is being implemented one by one to curb the pollution. "Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had earlier announced a 15-point winter action plan to curb the pollution caused by vehicles, biomass burning, dust, etc. Now this winter action plan is being implemented on the ground one by one to reduce the pollution in the national capital," Rai told ANI.

The Delhi Minister said that since one of the major causes of the pollution is vehicles, they have started the 'Red Light on, Gaadi off' campaign on Thursday."Now the data says that in AQI the level of Particulate matter (PM) 10 is decreasing and that of PM2.5 is increasing. This means that pollution caused by vehicles and biomass burning is increasing. For this, the 'Red Light on, Gaadi off' campaign has been started," the Delhi Minister said. As per the Air Quality and Weather Bulletin for Delhi, the air quality is likely to be in the 'Very Poor' category from October 29 to 31, 2023.