In a significant development, Delhi has relinquished its position as India’s most polluted city, according to the latest Air Quality Index (AQI) data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The overall air quality in the capital was classified as ‘very poor,’ with an AQI of 326, placing it at the sixth position in the rankings.
The AQI scale, ranging from zero to 500, classifies air quality as follows: ‘good’ (0-50), ‘satisfactory’ (51-100), ‘moderate’ (101-200), ‘poor’ (201-300), ‘very poor’ (301-400), ‘severe’ (401-450), and ‘severe-plus’ (above 450).
As per the CPCB 7 am data, various locations in Delhi reported ‘very poor’ and ‘poor’ air quality. Noteworthy readings include Alipur at 324, Anand Vihar at 357, Ashok Vihar at 356, Dwarka sector-8 at 323, ITO at 330, Jahangirpuri at 370, Narela at 337, Punjabi Bagh at 352, RK Puram at 356, Rohini at 319, Shadipur at 373, and Wazirpur at 381.
The National Capital Region also experienced ‘very poor’ to ‘poor’ air quality, with Noida recording an AQI of 322, Greater Noida at 314, Gurugram at 249, Ghaziabad at 283, and Faridabad at 275.
In a surprising turn of events, Delhi ranked sixth among cities with the worst AQI. The top positions were dominated by Bihar cities, with Katihar leading the chart at 393, followed by Saharsa at 379, Purnia at 373, and Bhagalpur at 351. Uttar Pradesh cities Muzaffarnagar, Noida, and Greater Noida also featured among the cities with the worst AQI.
This shift in air quality rankings highlights the urgent need for collective efforts to address pollution concerns in various regions, underscoring the significance of sustained environmental initiatives.
