Delhi AQI: Air quality remains in 'severe' category as thick smog blankets national capital

Chief Minister Atishi announced staggered timings for government offices in the city to ease traffic congestion given the pollution levels.

Delhi continues to be covered in a blanket of smog on November 16 as the Air Quality Index (AQI) continues to be in 'Severe' category in several areas of the national capital

At 6 am, the national capital’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 404, placing it in the ‘Severe’ category, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", 401 and 450 "severe" and above 450 "severe plus".

#WATCH | Delhi continues to be covered in a blanket of smog in the mornings as the Air Quality Index (AQI) continues to be in 'Severe' category in several areas as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)(Drone visuals from Signature Bridge shot at 8:45 am) pic.twitter.com/q6uMZdQHhU
ANI (@ANI) November 16, 2024

The Delhi government has banned private BS III petrol and BS IV diesel vehicles, prohibited the entry of interstate non-electric-CNG buses, certain categories of construction activities, and staggered government office timings, as the city choked under 'severe'-category air pollution.

The restrictions were imposed under stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan, or GRAP, announced by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on November 14.

Chief Minister Atishi announced staggered timings for government offices in the city to ease traffic congestion given the pollution levels.

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As per news agency PTI quoting experts,  stubble burning in neighboring states further aggravated the situation, enveloping the city in a thick layer of smog. Levels of key pollutants—PM2.5 and PM10—remained dangerously high.