There was slight relief in the air quality on Tuesday morning in the national capital. After days of choking air, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi has come down from ‘severe’ to the ‘very poor’ category. Notably, despite this change, air pollution levels are still dangerous.
According to the CPCB’s Sameer app data on the overall AQI in Delhi at 6:30 am on Tuesday, the overall AQI was 381.'
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Most affected regions continue to record high pollution levels
However, there are some areas in the national capital where air quality has been extremely poor despite the decline. The most polluted area is Wazirpur, where the AQI is 434. The second most polluted area is Jahangirpuri, where the AQI is 430.
Other stations like Mundka, Delhi Technological University, and Nehru Nagar recorded the ‘severe’ level of air quality with values of 424-420 AQI. This brings out the imbalance in the concentration of air pollution in the city.
This is a slight improvement after Delhi's average AQI was measured at 427 on Monday, which is the third consecutive day Delhi has been classified in the “severe” category. Delhi experienced a thick haze on Monday, reducing visibility.
On Tuesday morning, the AQI levels in Anand Vihar and ITO were recorded to be around 400 at 10 am.
The poor visibility has also affected flights. There have been hundreds of flights affected as a result of poor visibility as a result of the foggy and polluted environment.
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Traditional coal- and wood-fired tandoors banned amid severe air pollution
In a move aimed at reducing emissions, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee has directed a ban on the use of tandoors fueled either by coal or firewood in hotels, restaurants, and other eating centres.
The notification banning tandoors, which has come into effect from last week, has been issued under Section 31(A) of the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, as reported by PTI on December 9.
