Delhi Records AQI of 175 as Haze Persists; Temperatures Dip Further

Delhi woke up to hazy conditions on Tuesday, with the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) standing at 175, placing it in the ‘moderate’ category, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Pollution levels varied considerably across monitoring stations, with several locations recording air quality in the ‘poor’ category. CRRI Mathura Road registered the highest AQI among the listed stations at 257.

Other locations with elevated readings included Jahangirpuri at 251, Rohini at 239, R.K. Puram at 230, Mundka at 229, Dwarka Sector 8 at 223, IIT Delhi at 216, Bawana at 214, Sirifort at 214, and IGI Airport Terminal 3 at 211.

Chandni Chowk recorded an AQI of 201, while Wazirpur stood at 203. Punjabi Bagh and Alipur both recorded 199, followed by Narela at 197, Patparganj at 195 and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at 193.

Among the lower readings, Burari recorded an AQI of 146, Badarpur 131, Vasundhara Enclave 130, Mandir Marg 158 and Shadipur 148. PM2.5 and PM10 were identified as the prominent pollutants in the city-level data.

NCR Cities Remain in Moderate Category

Air quality across the neighbouring National Capital Region (NCR) cities also remained in the moderate category, according to CPCB readings recorded at 7 a.m.

Gurugram registered an AQI of 165, while Noida recorded 139 and Ghaziabad 133. Faridabad and Greater Noida reported comparatively lower readings of 117 and 115, respectively.

PM2.5 and PM10 were the prominent pollutants in Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad and Greater Noida, while PM10 was the predominant pollutant in Faridabad.

GRAP Stage 1 Measures Remain in Force

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Stage 1 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR on October 21 following a deterioration in air quality.

The measures include restrictions on the use of coal and firewood in tandoors at hotels, restaurants and open-air eateries. The plan also places restrictions on diesel generator use, except for essential and emergency purposes.

The measures are intended to address sources of pollution as air quality deteriorates across the region.

Minimum Temperature Falls to 16.2 Degrees

Delhi has also experienced a further dip in minimum temperatures, with the capital recording its lowest minimum of the season for the second consecutive day on Monday.

The minimum temperature settled at 16.2 degrees Celsius, down from 17 degrees Celsius on Sunday and 0.8 degrees below the previous day's reading. The maximum temperature was recorded at 31.4 degrees Celsius.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a further decline in temperatures, with light rain likely on Thursday and Friday under the influence of a cyclonic system over the Bay of Bengal.

The coming days will therefore bring cooler conditions, while pollution levels across Delhi and the surrounding NCR remain an important concern.