Delhi’s Air Quality Remains Severe On New Year Eve

Pollution levels spiked to ‘severe’ category on New Year eve, prompting authorities to warn people that any increase in vehicular pollutants or burning of firecrackers would worsen the situation. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data on Monday showed that the city recorded an overall air quality index (AQI) of 417, while the Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting (SAFAR) recorded an AQI of 418, both come under the ‘severe’ category. According to the CPCB data, 27 areas in the national capital recorded ‘severe’ pollution, while seven witnessed ‘very poor’ air quality. In the NCR, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon and Noida recorded ‘severe’ air quality, while Faridabad recorded ‘very poor’ quality air. The overall PM2.5 level (fine particulate matter in the air with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometer) was recorded at 328 and the PM10 level at 488 in Delhi, the CPCB said. The SAFAR said the air quality would improve slightly “provided that no additional local emissions are added on New Year eve”.