Delhi’s air quality has seen a slight improvement, moving into the ‘poor’ category after spending four consecutive days in the ‘very poor’ range. As of Friday morning, October 24, the Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 293 by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). This comes just days after Diwali celebrations, which typically exacerbate air pollution in the National Capital Region.
The city’s 24-hour average AQI on Thursday was reported at 305 at 4 pm, placing it firmly in the ‘very poor’ category. Neighboring areas within the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR) also experienced poor air quality, with Gurugram recording an AQI of 295, Faridabad at 230, and Ghaziabad’s Indirapuram at 292. Noida registered an AQI of 248, and Meerut was at 218, indicating widespread air quality issues across the region.
The Centre’s Air Quality Early Warning System (EWS) forecasts that the AQI is likely to remain in the ‘poor’ to ‘very poor’ categories in the coming days. Transportation emissions were identified as a significant contributor, accounting for 15.7% of Delhi’s air pollution on Thursday, according to data from the Decision Support System (DSS).
In response, the Delhi government is actively implementing anti-pollution measures. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa reported that approximately 2,000 teams are working tirelessly to enforce these measures. Plans are also underway to deploy an additional 70 mechanized sweepers, 70 anti-smog guns, and water sprinklers, targeting 1,440 km of roads.
Adding to these efforts, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced that preparations for inducing artificial rain through cloud seeding are complete. The weather department has indicated a possibility of clouds on October 28, 29, and 30, creating an opportunity for this innovative pollution control method. The Chief Minister expressed confidence that this initiative will play a crucial role in mitigating Delhi’s pollution levels.