Delhi’s Air Stays ‘Moderate’ at AQI 168, but Toxic Foam Returns to the Yamuna

Delhi recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 168 at 8 am on Tuesday, putting the capital in the “moderate” category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). It was a marginal improvement. The AQI on Monday at 7 am was 164, also “moderate.”

WHERE THE AIR IS WORST

The city average hides wide differences. Jahangirpuri recorded 251, Rohini 237, R K Puram 234, Dwarka Sector 8 223, Bawana 216, IIT Delhi 214 and IGI Airport (T3) 211, with Punjabi Bagh at 200. Apart from Punjabi Bagh, which sits on the border, all of these were in the “poor” category.

Several other stations stayed in the “moderate” band: Chandni Chowk (198), Alipur (197), Patparganj (195), Anand Vihar (175), IGNOU Maidan Garhi (150), JNU (146) and NIH Narela (129).

Anti-smog guns were seen spraying water on roads across the city to bring down dust.

NEIGHBOURS AND MUMBAI

Greater Noida recorded an AQI of 156 and Noida 143, both “moderate.” Mumbai recorded 98, in the “satisfactory” category, though the Kalanagar area logged 139, which is “moderate.”

CPCB classes AQI of 0 to 50 as “good,” 51 to 100 as “satisfactory,” 101 to 200 as “moderate,” 201 to 300 as “poor,” 301 to 400 as “very poor” and 401 to 500 as “severe.”

TOXIC FOAM ON THE YAMUNA

Delhi-NCR is also facing a second environmental problem. Toxic white foam has reappeared on the Yamuna near Kalindi Kunj, with visuals showing thick blankets of it floating across the water’s surface.

The foam comes just days after Chief Minister Rekha Gupta hailed the government’s efforts to revive the river, calling the launch of infrastructure projects worth about Rs 9,000 crore a “joyful day” for the city’s residents. Its return highlights the scale of the pollution challenge that remains.

With inputs from ANI