NewKerala.com

Delhi AQI Hits 294, 'Poor' Air Quality Engulfs Capital Amid Clear Skies

Delhi's air quality deteriorated further, with the AQI rising to 294, placing it firmly in the 'poor' category. Several monitoring stations reported very high pollution levels, with Wazirpur recording the worst AQI of 375. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta emphasized the need for year-round action while inaugurating six new continuous air quality monitoring stations and deploying enforcement vehicles. The weather forecast predicts mainly clear skies with mist, offering little natural relief from the polluted conditions.

Key Points: Delhi Air Quality Deteriorates, AQI Reaches 294 | Latest Updates

  • AQI rises to 294, in 'poor' category
  • Wazirpur records highest AQI of 375
  • CM inaugurates 6 new air monitoring stations
  • 100 'Vayu Rakshak' vehicles deployed for enforcement
3 min read

AQI spikes to 294 as Delhi's air quality deteriorates; mainly clear skies forecast

Delhi's air quality remains 'poor' with AQI at 294. Key areas like Wazirpur (AQI 375) severely affected. CM inaugurates new monitoring stations.

"pollution control requires sustained, year-round action - Rekha Gupta"

New Delhi, Feb 11

The air quality in the national capital deteriorated on Wednesday morning, with the Air Quality Index rising to 294, placing it in the 'poor' category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board. Delhi-National Capital Region is likely to witness mainly clear skies with mist during the morning hours, while temperatures are likely to remain close to seasonal averages, the India Meteorological Department said.

On Tuesday, the air quality in the Delhi-NCR also remained in the 'poor' category, with the AQI recorded at 267.

As per CPCB data, several monitoring stations in Delhi reported high AQI levels. Anand Vihar recorded 342, Bawana 312, Burari Crossing 321, Chandni Chowk 365, and DTU 290. Dwarka Sector-8 recorded 280, while IIT Delhi stood at 209. Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium reported 321, Mandir Marg 214, and Mundka 374.

Other areas, including Narela (331), North Campus (320), Patparganj (313), Pusa (262), R.K. Puram (280), and Rohini (345) also remained in the 'poor' category. Sonia Vihar recorded 357, while Wazirpur reported the highest AQI at 375.

In the NCR, Noida also witnessed poor air quality. Noida Sector-125 recorded an AQI of 328, Sector-62 stood at 268, Sector-1 at 275, and Sector-116 at 284.

Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on February 10 said that pollution control requires sustained, year-round action. She made the remarks while inaugurating six Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring System (CAAQMS) stations to expand real-time tracking of air quality across the capital. She also flagged off 100 'Vayu Rakshak' vehicles for stricter monitoring and enforcement of pollution control norms.

With the addition of the new stations, the total number of CAAQMS in Delhi has increased to 46, making it the largest air quality monitoring network in any city in the country. Of these, 30 stations are operated by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), 10 by the India Meteorological Department/IITM, and six by the CPCB. Additionally, 14 more monitoring stations are planned to be installed soon.

As part of the initiative, 100 'Vayu Rakshaks' have been deployed to work in coordination with the DPCC for on-ground pollution control. In addition, 600 Vayu Rakshaks, along with the Delhi Police, are monitoring violations related to traffic and emissions.

The IMD said maximum temperatures in Delhi on February 11 are likely to range between 24 and 26 degrees Celsius, while minimum temperatures may settle between 10 and 12 degrees Celsius. Similar weather conditions are expected on February 12 and 13, with mainly clear skies and light morning mist. Maximum temperatures are forecast between 23 and 25 degrees Celsius, and minimum temperatures between 9 and 11 degrees Celsius on both days. Winds are expected to blow mainly from the northwest, strengthening in the afternoon and weakening by evening.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Good to see the expansion of the monitoring network to 46 stations. Data is the first step. But the 'Vayu Rakshak' vehicles need to be empowered to actually penalize polluters, not just monitor. Enforcement has always been the weak link.
P
Priya S
The CM is right, it needs year-round action. We can't just blame stubble burning in October-November. The poor AQI in February shows the problem is local and constant. More green cover, better public transport, and waste management are key.
R
Rohit P
Living in Noida Sector-62. The air feels heavy in the morning. Clear skies are meaningless if the air is poison. We need a collective effort from Delhi, Haryana, and UP. Political blame games won't give us clean air.
M
Michael C
Respectfully, while deploying more monitors and vehicles is a positive step, it feels like treating the symptom. The root causes—vehicular emissions, unchecked construction, and power generation—need systemic, aggressive policy changes. The data is clear, now we need the political will.
K
Kavya N
Chandni Chowk at 365! That's one of the busiest markets. Think of the street vendors and auto-rickshaw drivers breathing this all day. Their health is at maximum risk. We need affordable air purifiers and masks for these vulnerable groups. 🙏

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50