AQI – Delhi Air Quality Slips Back Into Poor Zone
AQI – Air quality in the national capital worsened slightly on Monday morning, moving back into the poor category after a brief improvement a day earlier. Data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed that the Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 206 at 7 am, indicating a decline from Sunday’s reading of 196, which had fallen within the moderate range.
On Saturday morning, the AQI had been recorded at 213, also placing the city’s overall air quality in the poor bracket. The fluctuation over the past three days reflects continuing instability in pollution levels across Delhi.
Weather Conditions Contribute to Pollution Build-Up
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the city recorded a temperature of 10 degrees Celsius around 7 am on Monday. Misty conditions were observed across several parts of the capital, while humidity levels were high at 97 percent. Wind speeds remained calm at 0 km/h, limiting the dispersion of pollutants and contributing to the accumulation of particulate matter near the surface.
Low wind movement combined with moisture in the air often traps pollutants, resulting in deteriorating air quality during winter mornings.
Several Areas Record Higher AQI Levels
Among the worst-affected locations, Mundka registered an AQI of 276, followed by Shadipur at 282 and Nehru Nagar at 269. Rohini and Bawana reported readings of 255 and 256 respectively, while Jahangirpuri recorded 252.
Wazirpur stood at 251 and Ashok Vihar at 243. Other areas such as Narela (229), Vivek Vihar (228), Pusa (227), and Sirifort (224) also remained in the poor category. Chandani Chowk, however, recorded a comparatively lower AQI of 192, placing it in the moderate range.
The data suggests that industrial and outer regions of the city continued to experience more severe pollution compared to central parts.
Some Localities Show Relatively Better Air Quality
In contrast, Sri Aurobindo Marg recorded an AQI of 129, indicating moderate air quality. Lodhi Road reported a reading of 139, while Major Dhyan Chand Stadium stood at 144. Mandir Marg and IIT Delhi recorded AQI levels of 148 and 149 respectively.
Aya Nagar registered 165, and IGI Airport reported 177. Though these figures remain above satisfactory levels, they were significantly lower than those seen in several western and northern parts of the capital.
On Sunday, a similar pattern was observed. Mundka had recorded 266, Pusa 257, and both Narela and Rohini 247 each. Ashok Vihar, Jahangirpuri, and Wazirpur also reported elevated levels. Sri Aurobindo Marg had remained among the cleanest locations with an AQI of 126.
Understanding AQI Categories
The AQI scale classifies air quality readings between 0 and 50 as good, while 51 to 100 is considered satisfactory. A range of 101 to 200 falls under moderate, and 201 to 300 is categorised as poor. Readings between 301 and 400 are termed very poor, while any value between 401 and 500 is classified as severe.
With Monday’s overall AQI at 206, Delhi has once again entered the poor category, which may cause breathing discomfort for people with respiratory conditions and prolonged exposure risks for the general population.
Authorities continue to monitor pollution trends closely as winter weather patterns persist, influencing daily fluctuations in air quality across the national capital.