Delhi awoke to a thick layer of smog on Friday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching a concerning 317 according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The festive Diwali celebrations, despite a firecracker ban, were marked by the persistent sounds of fireworks and the haze of grey smoke, contributing to the city’s deteriorating air quality.
Deteriorating Air Quality Levels
By Thursday afternoon, the AQI in Delhi had worsened to 328, categorising it as “poor.” The situation continued to decline, with the AQI recorded at 362 by 8 am on Friday, placing it firmly in the “very poor” category. Areas such as Anand Vihar reported alarming levels, with an AQI of 395, while Chandni Chowk recorded 338 at the same time.
High AQI Across Multiple Regions
Many regions throughout the national capital reported AQI levels exceeding 300. As of 8 am, the following areas experienced “very poor” air quality: Lodhi Road (355), Dwarka-Sector 8 (376), Bawana (396), Ashok Vihar (389), Punjabi Bagh (393), Mundka (375), Jahangirpuri (390), Najafgarh (329), Patparganj (365), Pusa (398), Vivek Vihar (377), and Wazirpur (390).
Increased Efforts to Control Firecrackers
The System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) reported that the AQI peaked at 359 at 6:30 am, categorising it as “very poor.” On the morning of Diwali, the AQI was already high at 328. Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai had announced the formation of 377 enforcement teams to uphold the firecracker ban on Diwali Eve. However, despite these measures, enforcement remained lax, allowing residents to continue bursting firecrackers unabated.
Also Read: Delhi’s Air Quality Deteriorates Amid Heavy Smog
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