New Delhi. Delhi’s air quality remained in the ‘very poor’ category on Saturday and the overall air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 311 at 9 am. This information was obtained from the data of the Central Pollution Control Board. According to the data of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, the incidents of stubble burning in Punjab increased from 1,893 on Thursday to 3,916 on Friday, which is the highest ever this season.
It is noteworthy that AQI between zero and 50 is considered ‘good’, between 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory’, between 101 and 200 ‘moderate’, between 201 and 300 ‘poor’, between 301 and 400 ‘very poor’. and between 401 and 500 are considered to be in the ‘severe’ range.
AQI was recorded as ‘Very Poor’ in 27 out of 37 monitoring stations. The AQI was recorded in Jahangirpuri 351, Nehru Nagar 347, Sri Aurobindo Marg 339, RK Puram 335 and Bawana 334.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the minimum temperature in the city was recorded at 12.6 degrees Celsius, a notch below the season’s average. The relative humidity in the air was recorded at 76 per cent at 8.30 am, the department said. The Meteorological Department predicted that the maximum temperature would be 29 degrees Celsius and the sky would be clear during the day. The IMD said the maximum temperature on Friday was recorded at 28.5 degrees Celsius, which is one degree below the season’s average.
The CPCB said the 24-hour average AQI on Friday stood at 346. The Air Quality Management Commission (CAQM) on Friday said restrictions under Phase III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) will continue in Delhi-NCR as air pollution continues to rise in the region.
Under Phase III of GRAP, all construction and demolition works have been banned in Delhi-NCR except for essential projects. Operation of brick kilns, hot mix plants and stone crushers are not permitted. (Language)