MC Pollution Dashboard: Air quality worsens across metro cities

AQI levels stay above 300 for fourth consecutive day in Delhi

Metros felt more stifled on October 24 with the air quality index (AQI) in four out of six cities reading over 100, shows a Moneycontrol analysis of data released by the Central Pollution Control Board.

While Delhi remained the most polluted city across the country with an AQI of 306, which signifies 'very poor' air quality, Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad had readings above 100. Mumbai and Chennai recorded an AQI of 102, while in Hyderabad it was 111.

This is the first time this month that the index for Chennai and Hyderabad surpassed 100 this month, compared with 69 for both in the previous day.

In the financial capital, the AQI reading had breached the 100 mark after a hiatus of 16 days.

On the other hand, Delhi marks the fourth consecutive day of over 300 AQI.

Bengaluru continued to witness an AQI reading of 50, but Kolkata was the best performer with an AQI of 43. Strong winds due to Cyclone Dana improved the air quality in the city.

Ahmedabad saw a worsening of air quality, with the AQI falling to its lowest level since the start of the month. While Gandhinagar, which hosts the GIFT city, also suffered a worsening of AQI to 93.

Among major international cities, New York had an AQI of 20 on October 24, while in London it was 55. Beijing’s air quality was worse than most Indian metros, with an AQI of 142 on October 24.

Among the Indian cities, 12.5 percent or 31 of 241 cities for which data was available had poor air quality, while another 100 had moderate air quality with AQI levels between 101 and 200.