NEW DELHI: As smoggy conditions prevailed in Delhi-NCR, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in most parts continued in the ‘severe’ category on Sunday.
The overall AQI of Delhi stood at 428 at around 7.30 am, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Of the 35 monitoring stations, CPCB data showed that most areas reported air quality in the severe category, with AQI levels above 400.
The air pollution level in Faridabad was 268, Gurugram 287, Ghaziabad 379, Greater Noida 342 and in Noida it was 304.
Delhi’s air quality plummeted to the ‘severe’ category on Saturday, with an AQI of 417 against Friday’s AQI of 396.
The air quality in Delhi has been deteriorating since October which has been attributed to multiple factors, including firecrackers and stubble- burning in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
In view of worsening pollution conditions, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) decided to implement Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on Friday.
While GRAP-3 is in effect, construction and demolition have been halted, all non-essential mining activities suspended, non-electric, non-CNG and non-BS-VI diesel interstate buses restricted, and schools have been advised to shut till Class 5 in Delhi-NCR.