Delhi air quality falls to 'very poor' as winter curbs take effect

Air quality in Delhi fell to the 'very poor' category on Monday, a day after additional winter pollution curbs took effect. As of 7.05 am, the national capital's average Air Quality Index was 307, according to the Sameer application run by the Central Pollution Control Board. It was the highest reading in Delhi since February.

Of the 58 active monitoring stations, 37 recorded 'very poor' or worse air. Jahangirpuri in northwestern Delhi had the worst reading of the morning, at 417. By 4 pm, three stations had recorded 'severe' air, with Jahangirpuri at 436, Rohini at 415 and Punjabi Bagh at 413.

Evening readings and new restrictions

By the evening, the city's average AQI had reached 324, which one outlet described as the season's worst. The Commission for Air Quality Management then imposed GRAP-II measures to curb pollution. These include restrictions on construction activity and on vehicle entry based on registration. The Delhi government's Winter Action Plan curbs will remain in force until 28 February.

Neighbouring cities were also affected. In Uttar Pradesh, Noida recorded an AQI of 308, in the 'very poor' category. Greater Noida, at 267, and Ghaziabad, at 276, were in the 'poor' category. In Haryana, Gurugram recorded 225 and Faridabad 118, which is 'moderate'.

AQI readings run on a scale. Values from 0 to 50 are 'good', 51 to 100 'satisfactory', 101 to 200 'moderate', 201 to 300 'poor', 301 to 400 'very poor' and 401 to 500 'severe'. Air quality is expected to stay 'very poor' in the coming days, though the sources do not give a forecast beyond that. It is not yet clear how long the GRAP-II measures will last.