Delhi Pollution: Air Quality in ‘Poor Category’ on Day 2 of New Year

Major pollutants PM 2.5 and PM 10 were at 293 and 295 respectively in the Lodhi Road area, reported ANI on Wednesday.

New Delhi: The air quality in the national capital continued to be in the ‘Poor’ category with major pollutants PM 2.5 and PM 10 at 293 and 295 respectively in the Lodhi Road area, reported ANI on Wednesday. (Also read: Task Force Recommends Banning of Construction in ‘Hotspots’)

Delhi and NCR had woken up to a smoggy morning on Tuesday, the first day of the new year, with air quality ranging from ‘Hazardous’ category to ‘Severe’. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) showed the Air Quality Index (AQI) ranging between 199 and 505 in Delhi.

In Noida, Sector 125 was the most polluted with an AQI reading of 573. Industrial area of Mundka continued to be the highest polluted area with the AQI level of 505 with PM 10 levels at 556 and PM 2.5 levels at 445.

Gurugram’s air quality also remained in the ‘Hazardous’ category with an AQI reading of 461. Faridabad remained at a slightly better position with the air quality in ‘Very Poor’ category with a reading of 241.

“There are chances of a spell of rain on Sunday. Mild rains can bring down the air quality to normal,” a weather department official said.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, for the third consecutive day, the air quality in the national capital was in the severe category.

The overall AQI in the national capital on New Year’s Day was 404.  The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the air quality was likely to remain in the ‘Severe’ category owing to low wind speed, which is highly unfavourable for dispersion of pollutants.

With the air quality remaining in the ‘Severe’ category in the last few days of 2018, AAP chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had even said that the even-odd scheme might be re-implemented.

Talking to reporters, he had said, “We’re taking a number of steps like tree plantation drives and buying 3000 buses etc. We sanctioned one of largest metro phases yesterday. If the need arises, we’ll implement the Odd-Even scheme. Each individual has to play a role in reducing pollution.”

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on air pollution:We’re taking a no.of steps like tree plantation drives&buying 3000 buses etc.We sanctioned one of largest metro phases y’day.If the need arises, we’ll implement the Odd-Even scheme.Each individual has to play a role in reducing pollution. pic.twitter.com/zI9DmTIuV9

— ANI (@ANI) December 25, 2018