Air quality remains in 'poor' category

New Delhi: Delhi's air quality remained in "poor" category on Monday, and the quality may falter further in upcoming days. Reports by SAFAR say that the air quality may go down to "very poor" in the next two days. "AQI forecasted to deteriorate slowly but in the higher end of poor category for tomorrow (Tuesday). Further deterioration to very poor is expected any time thereafter as soon as winds becomes calm whose probability is high from October 23," said a report by the Central-based agency. As per data shared by SAFAR, further high deterioration in Air quality index (AQI) of Delhi is "expected by the first week of November."

Meanwhile in different areas, level of PM2.5 was such as Anand Vihar (257), Bawana (286), ITO (242), Lodhi Road (216), North Campus (235) and Rohini (275) remained in "poor" category, while Dwarka (321) and Sirifort (362) slipped to "very poor" category.

On the other hand, data by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) revealed more stubble burning this year. In a review meeting Friday, CPCB led Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) taskforce, highlighted that cases of stubble burning have increased, compared to last year. The data revealed by the agency showed both Punjab and Haryana witnessing a two-fold increase in crop burning cases.

According to the data, cases of stubble burning in Punjab was 1198 in 2018, which increased to 1631 in 2019. On the other hand, Haryana that witnessed about 1,346 cases in 2018, saw an increase of 1,571 cases in 2019 till now. With Diwali nearing too, state authorities have geared up to fight air pollution, with Odd-Even scheme to start from November 4 and water sprinkling already taking place in different parts of the city.