Smog engulfs Delhi and Mumbai, AQI likely to remain 'very poor' in national capital

In a bid to combat vehicular pollution, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has said starting November 1, only electric, CNG and BS VI-compliant diesel buses will be allowed to operate between Delhi and the cities and towns of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan falling in the National Capital Region (NCR).

India's key metro cities  - Delhi and Mumbai - have been waking up to worsening quality of air for more than a week now. Air pollution, in both cities, has been hovering at an alarming level, with no signs of improvement any time season, given the approaching festive season and the winters when the air becomes denser with pollutants.

National capital Delhi's air quality remained in the ‘very poor’ category for the fifth consecutive day, with an overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of 373 on November 1, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

As per SAFAR(System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research)-India data, Delhi’s overall AQI stood at 336 on November 1, falling within the ‘Very Poor’ category.

The national capital region was covered with haze as the 24-hour average AQI touched 350, marking the highest level this season, according to the CPCB.

Some areas in Delhi also experienced severe pollution, Wazirpur recorded an AQI of 422, while Rohini and Anand Vihar registered levels of 405 and 424, respectively, all falling under the ‘very poor’ category as per the CPCB.

AQI levels ranged from 329 to 391, all categorised as ‘very poor’ at locations such as  Delhi University, Terminal 3 of Delhi Airport, Noida, IIT Delhi, and Gurugram.

The Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi predicts that the ‘very poor’ air quality is likely to persist until November 3, with a high chance of continuation for the next six days.

In a bid to combat vehicular pollution, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has said starting November 1, only electric, CNG, and BS VI-compliant diesel buses will be allowed to operate between Delhi and the cities and towns of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan falling in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Meanwhile, Mumbai witnessed an overall AQI of 132, falling into the ‘moderate’ category. Varying levels of pollution were recorded across different areas in the city.

Malad and Worli registered AQI values of 198 and 199, respectively, indicating a significant deterioration in air quality. Areas such as Andheri, Bhandup, and Borivali enjoyed ‘satisfactory’ air quality.

The Bombay High Court expressed concern over the "deteriorating" air quality index (AQI) in Mumbai while taking suo motu (on its own) cognisance of the issue on October 31.