No respite as Delhi's air quality remains in 'very poor' category, AQI at 337

New Delhi: There was a little respite to residents as the air quality in the national capital continued to remain in the ‘very poor’ quality, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at 337 on Thursday morning.

According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), the air quality is expected to improve from Friday due to a likely high wind speed.

Delhi | Air Quality Index (AQI) is presently at 337 (overall) in the 'very poor' category, as per System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR)-India

— ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2021

SAFAR said that the concentrations of PM 2.5 and PM 10 stood at 168 in the ‘very poor’ and 284 in the ‘poor` category respectively." AQI today indicates `Very Poor` air quality, it added. 

A shallow foggy condition is likely to keep AQI poor for the next two days. 

On 16th air quality is going to improve and from 17th onwards significant improvement is likely due to high wind speeds that keep AQI within `poor` or `lower end of very poor` category," SAFAR said in its bulletin.

The air quality in Noida and Gurugram too remains in the `very poor` category with AQI at 337 and 330 respectively. 

As per the government agencies, an AQI between zero 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`.

After a review meeting on Monday, the Delhi government has extended the ban on the entry of non-essential trucks in the national capital till further orders. 

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai had said on Monday that the ban on the entry of trucks will continue till further orders. However, the CNG, e-trucks and those engaged in essential services can continue their operations, in view of a forecast about rising pollution levels in Delhi.

The minister also said the government will review the ban on construction and demolition activities on December 16.