Lagatar24 Desk
NEW DELHI: Delhi’s air quality continues to worsen as the Air Quality Index (AQI) remained in the ‘severe’ category for the fifth consecutive day on Sunday morning. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the overall AQI was recorded at 428 at around 7:30 am, signaling hazardous pollution levels across the national capital.
Severe Pollution Levels Across Key Locations
The CPCB data revealed alarming AQI levels in several areas of Delhi:
•Anand Vihar: 457
•Ashok Vihar: 466
•Aya Nagar: 426
•Bawana: 471
•Dwarka Sector 8: 445
•Dilshad Garden: 448
•Jahangirpuri: 466
•Mandir Marg: 434
•Mundka: 463
•Rohini: 449
Additional hotspots, including Punjabi Bagh (442), Shadipur (457), and Wazirpur (463), showed similar hazardous conditions. Over 14 locations in Delhi recorded AQI levels above 400, severely impacting public health.
Health Risks Amid Alarming Air Quality
Residents are grappling with severe health issues, including respiratory problems, eye irritation, and elevated risks of cardiovascular diseases due to prolonged exposure to hazardous air. The thick smog blanketing Delhi’s skyline further exacerbates the situation, reducing visibility and worsening pollution.
GRAP-III Restrictions Enforced
To combat the escalating pollution levels, the Delhi government has activated measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-III):
•Vehicle Restrictions: Ban on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles, with violators facing fines of ₹20,000 under the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988.
•Emission Control: Measures aim to curb vehicular emissions and prevent further degradation of air quality.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) ordered the enforcement of GRAP-III on Friday at 8 am, following a sharp spike in pollution levels.
