Delhi's air quality 'good' for second time this year: CPCB
NEW DELHI: For the second time this year, Delhi's air quality turned 'good' on Saturday, thanks to persistent monsoon that washed away pollutants from the air, according to authorities.
The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of New Delhi was recorded at 48, which falls under the "good" category, as per data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
An official of the Board attributed the improvement in air quality to incessant rains that have washed away pollutants from the air.
An AQI in the range of 0-50 is considered 'bood', while that within 51-100 is 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300 'poor', 301-400 'very poor' and 401-500 'severe'.
The PM10 level (presence of particulate matter with diameter less than 10 mm) was recorded as 'good' at 46 in Delhi and Delhi-NCR.
The PM2.5 level (presence of particulate matter with diameter less than 2.5 mm) was 23 in Delhi-NCR and 22 in Delhi on Friday, according to the CPCB data.
This is the second time this year that the quality of air fell in the 'good' category.
Earlier, on July 28, onset of monsoon in Delhi had cleansed the air, bringing it in the 'good' category.
Meanwhile, with less than three months left before winter arrives in the national Capital and covers the entire city with a blanket of deadly smog, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has decided to install more smart poles to keep track of the air quality.
According to a Hindustan Times report, around 47 air pollution monitoring sensors will be installed by September-end.
These air quality sensors have the capability of tracking PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2 and CO levels.
They will also help tracking weather and humidity. These air sensors are low-cost and will provide the feed to the NDMC 311 App.
They will be installed near Chanakyapuri, AIIMS and Moti Bagh.
The move comes after a WHO report listed Delhi, Varanasi and 12 other Indian cities among 20 of the world's most polluted cities, in terms of PM2.5 levels in 2016.
The WHO data, released earlier this year, also said that nine out of 10 people in the world breathe air containing high levels of pollutants.
Experts and environment activists had termed the WHO data on most polluted cities in the world as a "wake up call" and a clear indication that air pollution has become a national public health crisis which demands immediate action.
