Delhi's Air Quality Deteriorates to 'Very Poor' as Concerns Mount Over Rising Pollution

Delhi's air quality remained in the 'very poor' category on Thursday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) surpassing 330 in multiple locations. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) revealed that at 7:00 AM, Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 392, Ashok Vihar 350, IGI Airport T3 334, ITO Delhi 324, RK Puram 359, and Dwarka Sector 8 348, all falling within the 'very poor' range.

The AQI scale ranges from 0-500, classifying air quality from 'good' (0-50) to 'severe' (401-500). Any reading between 301-400 is deemed 'very poor,' posing potential health risks to vulnerable populations.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted a high of 33°C and a low of 19°C for the day, as the city grapples with the increasing pollution levels.

Environment Minister Gopal Rai expressed concern over the worsening air quality, linking it to the northwest winds carrying pollutants from stubble burning in Haryana and Punjab. He warned that the impact of crop residue burning would intensify in the coming days and called for coordinated action. Rai also urged the Union Environment Minister to convene a meeting to expedite research on artificial rain as a possible solution. Furthermore, he appealed to neighboring states to temporarily ban diesel vehicles from entering the city.

While stubble burning contributes to a significant share of pollution during October and November, experts note that it accounts for just 6-8% of Delhi's pollution over the year. "Stubble burning is responsible for about 25-30% of pollution during these months, but its contribution is much lower for the rest of the year," explained Sagnik Dey, a professor at IIT Delhi.

In addition to air pollution, residents reported spotting toxic foam in the Yamuna River at Kalindi Kunj, further highlighting the city's ongoing environmental challenges.