Delhi air quality sees marginal improvement, remains ‘very poor’ as smog persists

Delhi's air quality witnessed a minor upgrade on Monday morning, with the total Air Quality Index (AQI) rated 366 approximately at 8 am.

Notwithstanding this, Air Quality Index remains in the 'very poor' category according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The air quality has shown slight improvement as compared to Sunday when the AQI burst at 377 at 4 pm. Still, a considerable portion of the city was under the blanket of toxic fog, and the air quality generally remained poor.

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Thick smog continues across key areas

ITO was part of the thick smog, with an AQI of 370 which is classified as 'very poor'. This morning, similarly, India Gate, Kartavya Path, and Sarai Kale Khan were all covered in thick smog.

CPCB has published figures that show the districts of the capital, like Mundka (400), Shadipur (306), Sonia Vihar (370), and Alipur (391), to be among the places that had 'very poor' air quality. DTU as well recorded air quality within the poor range with AQI of 400.

On the other hand, there were areas in the city that got improvement in air quality.

Some pockets slip into ‘severe’ category

Among them, Anand Vihar with the AQI of 402 was categorized as 'severe' according to CPCB . The three areas of Wazirpur (404), Bawana (408), and Narela (418) also showed the same thing, staying strongly in the 'severe' category.

As per CPCB description, the range of 0-50 is classified as 'good', 51-100 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300 'poor', 301-400 'very poor', and finally, 401-500 'severe' category.

MCD intensifies action, imposes ₹54.98 lakh in fines

On the other hand, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) fined a total of Rs 54.98 lakh during December for biomasses burning, illegal dumping of construction and demolition waste, and other violations.

The release mentions that there were 7,023 challans issued that accounted for Rs 43.26 lakh in penalties during the enforcement drive that was conducted to stopping illegal dumping of construction and demolition waste which was causing pollution across Delhi.

The fines were imposed under the Provisions of the DMC Act, Solid Waste Management Regulations, and the NGT directions.