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Delhi's Toxic Air Crisis: AQI Hits 309 Amid Worsening Pollution Levels

Delhi's air quality continues to remain in the 'very poor' category with an AQI of 309 recorded on Tuesday morning. While some areas like Lodhi Road showed moderate improvement, Anand Vihar and Akshardham recorded alarming levels of 392 AQI. Residents are reporting serious health issues including breathing difficulties and eye irritation due to the thick smog. The government has implemented Stage 2 of GRAP with water sprinklers deployed across the city to combat rising pollution levels.

Key Points: Delhi Air Quality Very Poor at 309 AQI CPCB Reports

  • Anand Vihar records alarming 392 AQI in very poor category
  • Authorities deploy water sprinklers for dust control across city
  • Foreign visitor describes worsening smog approaching Delhi
  • Residents complain of breathing issues and eye irritation problems
2 min read

Delhi's air quality remains in 'very poor' category, AQI recorded at 309

Delhi's air quality remains in 'very poor' category with AQI at 309. Anand Vihar records alarming 392 AQI as residents report breathing issues and eye irritation.

"It's pretty bad... I could even barely see the sun anymore - Shane, foreign visitor"

New Delhi, November 4

The air quality in the national capital continued to remain in the 'very poor' category on Tuesday morning, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 309 at 7 am, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Though marginally better than Monday, when the AQI stood at 316 at 8 am, pollution levels across several parts of the city remained alarming.

According to CPCB data, areas such as Lodhi Road and Tilak Marg recorded relatively moderate pollution levels, with the AQI at 153, categorised as 'moderate,' while the AQI at ITO and its adjoining areas was reported at 347, placing it in the 'very poor' category.

Anand Vihar and its nearby area recorded an AQI of 392, categorised in the 'very poor' category.

The Kartavya Path area reported an AQI of 278, which also falls in the "poor" category. On Monday, the Kartavya Path area reported an AQI of 307.

Additionally, the Akshardham area has a layer of haze lingering in the air. AQI around the area was recorded at 392, categorised as 'very poor'.

An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51-100 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300 'poor', 301-400 'very poor', and 401-500 'severe'.

Furthermore, authorities have deployed truck-mounted water sprinklers and other dust control measures across several parts of the city to mitigate the rising pollution levels.

While speaking to ANI on Monday, Shane, a foreign national visiting India, said, "It's pretty bad. I came from Agra by bus, and as I got closer to Delhi, the smog became thicker. You could definitely tell the difference. The closer I got to Delhi, it kept getting worse, to the point where I could even barely see the sun anymore..."

Saif, a resident of Delhi, complained of breathing issues and eye irritation. "Pollution in Delhi is rising. There is burning in the eyes and difficulty in breathing. The government should do something about it," he told ANI.

According to the India Meteorological Department, Delhi was expected to have a clear sky, with smog during the early hours.

Since Diwali, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) has been reeling under the 'poor' and 'very poor' categories in several areas, even as Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) remains in effect.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Every year same story after Diwali. Firecrackers, stubble burning, and vehicle pollution combine to create this toxic mix. When will we learn? 🤧
S
Sarah B
As someone who moved to Delhi last year, this is genuinely concerning. The air quality is significantly worse than what I experienced back home. The foreign tourist's comments really resonate with me.
A
Arjun K
Why is there so much variation between areas? Lodhi Road at 153 while Anand Vihar at 392? This shows localized solutions can work if implemented properly across all neighborhoods.
K
Kavya N
My elderly parents are finding it difficult to go for their morning walks. This pollution is affecting our quality of life. We need long-term solutions, not temporary fixes.
M
Michael C
While I appreciate the government's efforts with GRAP, I think we citizens also need to take responsibility. Carpooling, using public transport, and reducing waste burning can make a difference.
D
Divya L
The eye irritation mentioned in the article is so real! I've been using eye drops multiple times a day. This is no way to live in our capital city. 😢

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