At 282 AQI, Delhi's air quality remains poor

The national capital’s air quality remained in the poor category on Wednesday (November 20) morning with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 282.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the city’s overall air quality index (AQI) read 282 at 8.50 am. The neighbouring areas of Ghaziabad and Greater Noida recorded AQI at 364 and 349 respectively. Noida had an AQI of 323.

Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 12.3 degrees Celsius while humidity was recorded at 85 per cent on Wednesday. The weatherman has forecast partly cloudy skies for the day.

On Tuesday, Delhi recorded a high of 27.1 degrees Celsius and a low of 12.3 degrees Celsius. After a brief respite, air quality in the national capital deteriorated again on Tuesday due to calm winds and increased impact of farm fires, official said.

Also read | After four days ‘severe’ air quality, AQI hits ‘poor’ category in Delhi

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the city’s overall air quality index (AQI) read 242 at 4 pm on Tuesday, up from 214 at the corresponding time the previous day. An AQI between 201 and 300 is considered “poor”, 301-400 “very poor” and 401-500 “severe”.

Delhi’s air pollution and climate change was discussed in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday (November 20). While BJP slammed the AAP government in Delhi for blaming stubble burning for pollution in the Delhi NCR region and ignoring major pollutants, including vehicles and dust, BJP leader Pinaki Misra (BJD) said stubble burning is not a major contributor to pollution.

Congress leader Manish Tewari too echoed Misra saying that stubble burning is not a major pollutant in Delhi and adjoining areas, and said that farmers should not alone be blamed for the present situation.

Gautam Gambhir, the BJP MP from East Delhi who was criticised for skipping a key parliamentary panel meet on pollution, said that the topic of discussion is something that affects everyone irrespective of “our caste, creed, age and religion.

Also read | Smog dissipates as high-velocity winds bring relief to Delhi

(With inputs from agencies)