New Delhi: The air quality in the National Capital plummeted to the ‘severe’ category. On Wednesday, from ‘very poor’ just a day prior, according to the Central Pollution Control Board.
As per the CPCB data, Anand Vihar recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 405, while Jahangirpuri registered 428. Simultaneously, the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium and Dwarka Sector 8 reported AQIs of 404 and 403, respectively, all falling under the ‘severe’ category.
The AQI was 323 on Tuesday morning, as per the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR-India).
The Air Quality Index from 0 to 100 is considered as good, while from 100 to 200 it is moderate, from 200 to 300 it is poor, and from 300 to 400 it is said to be very poor and from 400 to 500 or above it is considered as severe.
The Air Quality Index is a tool for effectively communicating air quality status to people in terms that are easy to understand. It transforms complex air quality data of various pollutants into a single number (index value), nomenclature and colour.
Following an improvement in the air quality in Delhi, the CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management) on Saturday revoked the restrictions that were imposed under GRAP 4, permitting trucks and buses except for BS-3 and BS-4 petrol and diesel vehicles to enter the city and lifting the ban on ongoing construction activities.