New Delhi, Feb 26 || The air quality in Delhi remained in the ‘poor’ category for the fifth consecutive day on Thursday. According to data recorded at 8 a.m., the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Anand Vihar stood at 299, indicating very poor air quality.
On Wednesday, Delhi’s overall air quality also remained in the ‘poor’ category, while Anand Vihar recorded ‘very poor’ conditions with an AQI of 342. The persistent pollution levels continue to raise concerns among residents and authorities alike.
As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the AQI readings at various monitoring stations on Thursday morning were as follows: Anand Vihar (299), Ashok Vihar (212), Bawana (269), Burari Crossing (220), Chandni Chowk (233), DTU (203), Dwarka Sector-8 (211), IIT Delhi (143), Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (172), Mandir Marg (150), Narela (205), Nehru Nagar (232), Patparganj (195), Pusa (198), Rohini (246), Sonia Vihar (220), and Wazirpur (246). Most areas continued to record air quality in the ‘poor’ to ‘moderate’ categories.
To strengthen air quality monitoring, six new Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) have been activated in the national capital. With this addition, the total number of such facilities in Delhi has increased to 46 -- the highest in the country -- according to an official statement issued on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Public Works Department (PWD) and urban development departments of Delhi and NCR states -- Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan -- along with expert institutions, signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) on Tuesday. The agreements aim to implement a standard framework and Road Asset Management System (RAMS) to curb road dust, a major contributor to PM10 pollution in the region.