Delhi’s air quality continued to plunge into the ‘severe’ category on Wednesday, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 442, while the city’s minimum temperature dropped to a biting 5 degrees Celsius. A thin layer of fog further blanketed parts of the capital, reducing visibility and intensifying concerns about pollution.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the AQI recorded at 7 am on Wednesday marked a deterioration from Tuesday’s 421. Several areas in the capital registered alarmingly high AQI levels, with ITO at 458, Alipur at 471, RK Puram at 464, and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at 443. Locations such as Chandni Chowk and Lodhi Road fared marginally better, with AQI readings in the ‘very poor’ category at 374 and 348, respectively.
The classification of AQI ranges from ‘good’ (0-50) to ‘severe’ (401-500). The ongoing severe pollution prompted authorities to enforce Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the National Capital Region (NCR) from December 16. This came after Delhi’s AQI crossed the critical 400 mark earlier in the week.
Residents and visitors alike voiced their distress over the worsening air quality. Avinash, a visitor from Maharashtra, described experiencing breathing issues while riding his bike through the city. “When I was heading towards Gurugram, I felt the pollution in my lungs,” he said.
Bhagat Singh, a local resident, highlighted the declining number of morning walkers in city parks. “People are avoiding outdoor activities because of the difficulty in breathing,” he remarked. Another visitor, Anant Kumar, expressed concern over the abrupt spike in pollution levels. “There was some relief earlier, but now the situation is alarming. Immediate action is needed,” he urged.
The toxic air coincides with preparations for the 78th Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path, where Air Force personnel were seen braving the cold and pollution during rehearsals.
Delhi’s pollution woes come as temperatures continue to dip. On Tuesday, the city recorded a minimum of 7.4°C, which further dropped to 5°C on Wednesday morning, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
(Inputs from ANI)
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