Delhi AQI worsened as city wakes up to toxic smog, AQI remains in 'very poor' category

A thick layer of smog in Delhi on Wednesday. Pic/PTI

The national capital yet again woke up to a dense blanket of toxic smog on Wednesday, with the average Air Quality Index (AQI) touching 392 during the early hours. The AQI remained in the "very poor" category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

As reported by news agency ANI, the air quality in Delhi showed no improvement from Tuesday, when the AQI was recorded at 341 at 7 am and 374 at 4 pm.

While several parts of the national capital remained shrouded in a thick layer of smog, the condition seemed extremely concerning with reduced visibility and raising health concerns.

As per CPCB classification, an AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.

As of 9 am, AQI levels in other major cities were Ahmedabad 168, Bengaluru 76, Chennai 94, Jaipur 188, Hyderabad 121, Patna 130, Pune 185, Lucknow 166, and Mumbai 162, as per CPCB.

Supreme Court asks Delhi Government for a detailed affidavit on pollution curbs

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Monday asked the Delhi government to file an affidavit detailing the nature of the equipment and its efficiency in measuring the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital.

A bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justices Vinod Chandran and NV Anjaria ordered, "Let GNCTD file an affidavit explaining the nature of equipment being used and their efficiency to gauge AQI monitors. Please bring it the day after tomorrow," as cited by news agency ANI.

Senior advocate and amicus curiae Aparajita Singh, who was assisting the bench on the issue, said that "water sprinkling took place around pollution monitoring stations to skew the AQI readings in Delhi. She placed on record news reports about water sprinkling around pollution monitoring stations."

On the contrary, arguing on behalf of the government, the Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aishwarya stated that sprinkling of water is occurring across the city. "Political parties are spreading such videos," reported ANI.

Amicus further told the bench that instances of stubble burning were being undercounted. Giving a solution to the issue, she said that farmers should be given equipment for disposing of the stubble. The apex court also asked the Centre to devise a long-term solution to address the issue of air pollution.

It directed the Chief Secretary of Punjab and Haryana to ensure that the directions to curb stubble burning issued by the CAQM in its report dated November 13 are implemented.

(With inputs from ANI)