New Delhi, November 26: The Air quality in Delhi-NCR continues to remain at dangerous levels. On Tuesday, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at an average of 353 and Noida Sector-116 and 125 recorded 413 and 418 respectively. There is no possibility of any change in this for the next week.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), at 4 pm, the average PM-10 level was recorded at 366 micrograms per cubic meter and the average PM 2.5 level was recorded at 380 micrograms per cubic meter. The situation in NCR cities is also worrying. AQI was recorded at 373 in Noida, 349 in Ghaziabad, 364 in Greater Noida and 303 in Gurugram. Faridabad recorded an AQI of 220, falling in the poor category.
According to official data, pollution levels in several areas reached or exceeded 400. Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 400, Ashok Vihar 385, Bawana 389, Delhi Technological University 396, and Wazirpur 390. Air quality also remained in the severe category in areas like Pusa, RK Puram, Shadipur, Sirifort, Sonia Vihar, Sri Aurobindo Marg, and Vivek Vihar.
The situation in Noida remained extremely poor. Sector 125 and Sector 116 recorded an AQI of 418 and 413, respectively, while Sector 1 recorded 373 and Sector 62 recorded 352. Knowledge Park-V in Greater Noida recorded an AQI of 421, the highest in the region. Knowledge Park-III recorded a level of 339. Air quality remains worrisome in major areas of Ghaziabad, such as Indirapuram, Loni, Sanjay Nagar, and Vasundhara.
Health experts say that prolonged periods of very poor and severe air quality can lead to an increase in respiratory, eye, and lung-related illnesses. The CPCB predicts that there is no significant change in the weather over the next week, making it unlikely that pollution levels will improve immediately.
According to CPCB standards, an AQI between 0 and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400 very poor, and 401 and 500 severe.
It is noteworthy that vehicles contribute 20.45 percent to Delhi’s total air pollution. Stubble burning contributes 1.97 percent, construction and demolition activities contribute 3.10 percent, and residential areas contribute 5.30 percent.