Delhi air quality enters severe category with AQI at 483
Several areas in the national capital recorded pollution levels exceeding 400 on Sunday morning, according to CPCB data.
Delhi's air quality worsened on Sunday morning, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 483 at 8:10 am, according to ANI. This figure places the city in the 'severe' category, a significant increase from the 364 AQI recorded at 8 am on Saturday.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data shows that multiple locations recorded readings above 400. Punjabi Bagh had an AQI of 449, followed by RK Puram at 448 and Bawana at 446. IIT Delhi and Rohini both measured 445, while Patparganj, Chandni Chowk, and Alipur recorded 421, 420, and 413 respectively.
Other areas fell into the 'very poor' category, including Narela at 395, India Gate at 398, Akshardham Temple at 336, and Anand Vihar at 328. A thick layer of haze was observed across several parts of the city on Sunday morning, resulting in poor visibility.
The deterioration follows the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoking Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on Friday. This emergency framework covers Delhi and adjoining districts in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
Under Stage III, BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers are prohibited from driving in Delhi and designated NCR districts. Additionally, non-essential construction activities such as demolition and road construction have been suspended to curb dust pollution.