Delhi Air Quality Hits Season's First Very Poor Mark As AQI Touches 324

Delhi recorded its first 'very poor' air quality of the season on Monday as the Air Quality Index reached 324 at 4 pm, marking the national capital's highest pollution reading in nine months, according to Central Pollution Control Board data. Monitoring stations in localities including Jahangirpuri, Rohini, and Punjabi Bagh recorded pollution levels that breached the 'severe' category.

The overall city AQI of 324 was the highest level registered in 271 days, since February 4, when the index stood at 339. Out of 58 monitoring stations across the capital, 37 recorded air quality in the 'very poor' bracket, 17 were categorized as 'poor', three reached 'severe' levels, and only a single station recorded 'moderate' conditions. Jahangirpuri logged the worst reading at 436, followed by Rohini at 415 and Punjabi Bagh at 413.

The Central Pollution Control Board noted that PM2.5 remained the primary pollutant across the city. PM2.5 consists of fine particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometres or smaller, capable of entering deep into the lungs and penetrating the bloodstream. The CPCB classifies an AQI of zero to 50 as 'good', 51 to 100 as 'satisfactory', 101 to 200 as 'moderate', 201 to 300 as 'poor', 301 to 400 as 'very poor', and 401 to 500 as 'severe'.

The spike in pollution coincided with the second day of anti-pollution restrictions introduced by the Delhi government. According to the Decision Support System for Delhi, the transport sector contributed 19.2 per cent of Monday's pollution load, while industries located in Delhi and surrounding peripheral areas accounted for 4.2 per cent. Residential activities contributed 4.9 per cent, stubble burning made up 8.4 per cent, energy accounted for 1.8 per cent, waste burning generated 1.8 per cent, and other sectors and sources accounted for the remainder.

Neighboring National Capital Region districts also contributed to the capital's deteriorating air quality on Monday, DSS data showed. Jhajjar accounted for 6.9 per cent of the pollution, Sonipat contributed 5.1 per cent, and Gurugram generated 2.9 per cent. Rohtak contributed 2.7 per cent, Ghaziabad 2.6 per cent, Baghpat 2.4 per cent, Panipat and Bhiwani 2 per cent each, and Gautam Buddha Nagar accounted for 1.9 per cent.

Projections from the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi indicate that the city's air quality is expected to remain in the 'very poor' category between November 3 and November 5. The forecast suggests pollution levels may improve marginally to the 'poor' category over the subsequent six days.