Delhi’s air quality took a serious hit on Saturday morning, with pollution levels rising sharply across the national capital. According to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 393 around 8 am, placing it firmly in the ‘Very Poor’ category. This marked a continuation of poor air conditions seen a day earlier, as the AQI stood at 349 at around 4 pm on December 12.
A thick blanket of toxic smog covered several parts of the city, reducing visibility and causing discomfort to residents. Many areas slipped into the ‘Severe’ category, highlighting the worsening pollution crisis in the capital.
Several areas record ‘severe’ air quality
As per CPCB data, Anand Vihar was among the worst-affected areas, recording an AQI of 436 and remaining enveloped in dense smog. Other locations also witnessed alarming pollution levels, with Ashok Vihar at 435, ITO at 425, DTU at 426, and Nehru Nagar at 427, all falling under the ‘Severe’ category.
Air quality, however, varied across different parts of the city. Some areas remained in the ‘Very Poor’ category, though still hazardous for health. Najafgarh recorded an AQI of 312, while Shadipur stood at 375. Okhla Phase 2 and Dwarka Sector 8 registered AQI levels of 400 and 394 respectively, indicating slightly lower pollution compared to the most affected zones but still well above safe limits.
According to AQI standards, a reading between 0 and 50 is considered ‘Good’, 51-100 ‘Satisfactory’, 101-200 ‘Moderate’, 201-300 ‘Poor’, 301-400 ‘Very Poor’ and 401-500 ‘Severe’.
Government focuses on dust control to tackle pollution
Amid rising concerns, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Friday that her government is working on multiple fronts to control pollution in a sustainable manner. She highlighted that eliminating dust pollution is a top priority, with wall-to-wall roads being constructed across Delhi at an accelerated pace.
According to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), MLAs have been provided substantial funds worth several crores to ensure smooth and timely road construction. CM Gupta stressed that pollution control cannot succeed through government action alone and called for active public participation to reduce dust and smoke.
She further pointed out that flying dust is a major contributor to Delhi’s pollution and said wall-to-wall roads offer a long-term solution. MLAs have been instructed to strictly follow this model in all new road construction and repair works, with additional funds promised if required.
