Of Delhi’s 39 monitoring stations, 26 registered readings in the very poor range, while the remaining 13 reported poor air quality.
A layer of smog covered the capital on Sunday, with the AQI at 305 in the very poor range, slightly lower than the previous day, as temperatures remained in single digits in the national capital amid the ongoing cold spell.
Mundka recorded the highest AQI at 365, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data at 7 am. Out of Delhi’s 39 monitoring stations, 26 reported air quality in the very poor range, while the remaining 13 recorded poor levels.
Stations with very poor air quality included RK Puram (326), Punjabi Bagh (320), Chandni Chowk (308), Rohini (341), Vivek Vihar (304), Bawana (352), Sirifort (318), Wazirpur (337), Anand Vihar (327), Ashok Vihar (325), and Sonia Vihar (320).
Locations reporting poor air quality included Alipur (282), NSIT Dwarka (239), Mandir Marg (212), IGI Airport (227), Aya Nagar (263) and eight other stations.
According to CPCB standards, an AQI between 0-50 is ‘good’, 51-100 ‘satisfactory’, 101-200 ‘moderate’, 201-300 ‘poor’, 301-400 ‘very poor’ and 401-500 ‘severe’.
Delhi’s air quality fluctuated sharply over the week, with the AQI recorded at 279 on Sunday, 304 on Monday, rising to 372 on Tuesday, and standing at 342 on Wednesday. It remained in the ‘very poor’ category with 304 on Thursday and 327 on Friday.
According to the Decision Support System for Delhi’s air quality management, transport within the city was the largest local contributor at 14.8%, followed by industries in Delhi and nearby areas at 7.3%, residential sources at 3.6%, and construction at 2%.
Among neighbouring NCR districts, Jhajjar contributed 13.9% and Rohtak 5.2%.