Air quality in Delhi continued to remain ‘very poor’ for the sixth consecutive day on Thursday, November 2. According to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 343, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category. The key pollutants identified were PM 2.5 and PM 10.

In many parts of the national capital, the residents witnessed haze and smog in the morning on Thursday.

Delhi’s Anand Vihar area recorded a severe AQI of 412. Burari Crossing was not far behind, with an AQI of 342, categorising it as ‘very poor.’ Additionally, Pusa’s AQI stood at 321.

On the other hand, neighbouring Noida faced ‘very poor’ air quality with AQI reaching 397. Specific areas within Noida painted a concerning picture with Sector 125 recording an AQI of 288, falling into the ‘poor’ category; Sector 62 registered an AQI of 342, classifying it as ‘very poor.’ In Sector 1, Noida, the AQI stood at 279, also falling into the ‘poor’ category.

#WATCH | Overall Air Quality Index (AQI) in Noida stands at 397, in the 'Very Poor' category as per SAFAR-India. pic.twitter.com/vL0sTIZpNi

— ANI (@ANI) November 2, 2023

The air quality in Gurugram also remained ‘moderate’ to ‘very poor’ in different areas.

Gurugram’s NISE Gwal Pahari area registered an AQI of 310 (‘very poor’). The situation improved slightly in Teri Gram, Gurugram, with an AQI of 187, falling into the ‘moderate’ category. In Sector 51, Gurugram, the AQI was 173, indicating ‘moderate’ air quality. However, in Vikas Sadan, the AQI stood at 222, representing ‘poor’ air quality.

In New Industrial Town, the AQI stood at 314, classifying it as ‘very poor.’ Sector 11 was not far behind, with an AQI of 351, also in the ‘very poor’ category. Sector 30 recorded an AQI of 279, categorising it as ‘poor,’ while Sector 16 A’s AQI stood at 335, marking it as ‘very poor.’

Meanwhile, Mumbai reported relatively better AQI levels compared to Delhi. Areas like Chakala-Andheri East, Mumbai–IITM and Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (T2) recorded AQI values of 74 (‘satisfactory’), 170 (‘moderate’) and 144 (‘moderate’), respectively. However, some areas, including Chembur and Kherwadi, experienced ‘poor’ air quality with AQI values of 222.

Mumbai’s Guardian Minister Deepak Kesarkar announced the establishment of a command-and-control centre by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to monitor AQI levels and issue alerts and advisories to residents on days when the city records ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’ AQI, reported Indian Express.

(Edited by : Sudarsanan Mani)