Delhi Pollution: As we step into the New Year, Delhi is witnessing a significant improvement in its air quality. Over the past few days, the city’s AQI has shifted to the ‘moderate’ and ‘poor’ categories, showing a positive trend after a period of severe pollution. The AQI was recorded at 278 on Wednesday at 7 AM which comes under ‘poor’ category, according to SAFAR-India. Layer of fog enveloped the national capital affecting visibility amid the cold weather conditions.
209 ‘Good To Moderate’ Air Quality Days In 2024,
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Tuesday informed that Delhi recorded highest number of ‘Good to Moderate’ Air Quality Days, i.e. 209 such days in 2024, barring COVID Year – 2020.
CAQM in its press release stated that continual, concerted and persistent efforts of all the stakeholders round the year also in 2024 have further helped to improve the general air quality in Delhi as is evident from a record 209 days during 2024 with the AQI falling below 200 i.e. in “Good – Moderate” air quality category.
It added, “Barring the COVID year 2020, which witnessed long spells of very low anthropogenic, industrial and commercial activities during the COVID, owing to complete lockdowns and other restrictions.”
CAQM highlighted that the year 2024 recorded the highest number of “Good to Moderate” air quality days.
Delhi recorded highest number of ‘Good to Moderate’ Air Quality Days, i.e. 209 such days in 2024, barring COVID Year – 2020.
— Commission for Air Quality Management (@CAQM_Official) December 31, 2024
For more details: https://t.co/58B7lKIpYO
Reasons For Improvement
Improvement in Delhi’s air quality this year has been attributed to reduction in farm fires. The panel noted, “The year 2024 also witnessed a record low level of episodic events of farm burnings during paddy harvesting season.”
Number of farm fires recorded during the paddy harvest season 2024 were 10,909 in Punjab, 1,406 in Haryana and a total of 12,750 including NCR areas of UP, Rajasthan and NCT of Delhi.
Furthermore, the CAQM expects that air quality scenario over Delhi will see further gradual but marked improvement, year on year with persistent field level efforts and targeted policy initiatives for quantified results.
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