New Delhi – The national capital experienced a slight improvement in air quality on Tuesday morning, offering some respite to residents who had been grappling with hazardous pollution levels for several consecutive days. Delhi AQI today showed a notable decline from the previous day’s severe readings, though several areas continued to report alarming pollution levels.
Overall Air Quality Shows Marginal Improvement
According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board‘s Sameer app, Delhi AQI today stood at 381 as of 6:30 AM on Tuesday morning, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category. This marked a significant improvement from Monday’s average reading of 427, which had kept the city firmly in the ‘severe’ pollution bracket for three consecutive days. While the overall decline brings some relief, health experts continue to advise residents to limit outdoor activities and use protective masks when venturing outside.
The improvement in Delhi AQI today comes as welcome news for millions of residents who have been dealing with dense smog and reduced visibility across the city. However, the air quality remains far from safe, with ‘very poor’ levels still posing significant health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups including children, elderly citizens, and individuals with respiratory conditions.
Several Areas Continue to Record Severe Pollution Levels
Despite the overall improvement in Delhi AQI today, multiple neighborhoods across the capital continued to wake up to ‘severe’ category pollution. Wazirpur emerged as the worst-affected area with an AQI reading of 434, remaining firmly in the dangerous zone. Jahangirpuri followed closely with pollution levels reaching 430, indicating that certain pockets of the city continue to face critical air quality challenges.
Other areas recording severe pollution levels included Mundka, Delhi Technical University, and Nehru Nagar, with monitoring stations in these locations showing readings between 420 and 424. The variation in pollution levels across different parts of the city highlights the localized nature of air quality issues, with some neighborhoods experiencing significantly worse conditions than others.
Understanding the Air Quality Index Categories
The Central Pollution Control Board classifies air quality into six distinct categories based on AQI readings. An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered “good,” indicating minimal health impact. Readings between 51 and 100 fall under “satisfactory,” while 101 to 200 is labeled “moderate.” The categories worsen progressively, with 201 to 300 classified as “poor,” 301 to 400 as “very poor,” and 401 to 500 as “severe.”
With Delhi AQI today at 381, the city remains in the ‘very poor’ category, which can cause breathing discomfort to most people on prolonged exposure. The severe category, which several areas are still experiencing, poses serious health risks and can affect even healthy individuals while seriously impacting those with existing health conditions.
Impact on Daily Life and Transportation
The pollution crisis significantly affected daily life across the national capital on Monday, with dense haze reducing visibility to dangerously low levels. Hundreds of flights departing from and arriving at the national capital’s airport faced disruptions, prompting both airport authorities and airlines to issue travel advisories. The poor visibility conditions made it difficult for residents to see even short distances ahead, creating hazardous conditions for commuters and pedestrians alike.
A security personnel was observed walking across Vijay Chowk amid the dense smog, illustrating the challenging conditions faced by those required to work outdoors. The visibility issues and health concerns have prompted many residents to alter their daily routines and minimize outdoor exposure.
Also Read: Delhi AQI Levels: Alarming 500-Mark Hit as Capital Chokes on Pollution
Shift in Pollution Sources
While Delhi AQI today shows some improvement, experts point out that the composition of pollution sources has evolved. Research from the Centre for Science and Environment indicates that stubble burning is no longer a dominant factor contributing to the capital’s air quality crisis. The crop burning season has nearly concluded, with official data showing a substantial reduction in burning incidents across Punjab and Haryana this year.
Local emissions now constitute the primary contributors to pollution levels in the capital. Vehicle exhaust and construction dust remain major factors affecting Delhi AQI today and overall air quality. This shift in pollution sources suggests that addressing the city’s air quality crisis requires focused attention on urban emissions and local pollutants rather than solely relying on controlling agricultural burning in neighboring states.
Looking Ahead
While Delhi AQI today indicates a positive trend with the shift from ‘severe’ to ‘very poor’ category, sustained efforts are necessary to bring pollution levels down to safe ranges. The persistent severe pollution in multiple areas demonstrates that the battle for clean air in the national capital is far from over. Residents are advised to continue monitoring Delhi AQI today and take necessary precautions to protect their health during this ongoing pollution episode.
