The air quality in Delhi continues to be a cause for concern, remaining in the ‘very poor’ category a day after Diwali celebrations. According to data from SAFAR-India, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was recorded at a concerning 359 at 6:30 AM on Friday. This follows a night of widespread firework use despite a ban imposed by the authorities.
Despite the ban, various parts of the city, including Lajpat Nagar, Kalkaji, Chhatarpur, Jaunapur, East of Kailash, Saket, Rohini, Dwarka, Punjabi Bagh, Vikas Puri, Dilshad Garden, Burari, and many other neighborhoods in east and west Delhi, witnessed a barrage of firecrackers. At 9 pm on Thursday, Delhi’s AQI was recorded at 327, with several areas experiencing ‘very poor’ air quality according to the Sameer app, which provides hourly updates of the National AQI published by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
This year’s air quality is significantly worse compared to last year’s Diwali. In 2022, Delhi’s AQI on Diwali stood at 218, providing a stark contrast to this year’s alarming levels. This trend of increasing pollution during Diwali highlights the urgent need for stricter enforcement of the firecracker ban and the implementation of comprehensive strategies to combat air pollution in the national capital.
The AQI is a measure of air quality, with a range of 0 to 500. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 and 200 ‘moderate’, 201 and 300 ‘poor’, 301 and 400 ‘very poor’, 401 and 450 ‘severe’, and above 450 ‘severe plus’.
The worsening air quality in Delhi poses a significant health risk to its residents, especially vulnerable groups like children, elderly, and individuals with respiratory problems. It is imperative that the authorities take immediate and effective measures to control pollution levels and protect the health of the city’s population.
