Delhi's air quality improves, cleaner than Mumbai's in past two weeks

According to a study by the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), Delhi considered to be one of the most polluted cities in the world had cleaner air than Mumbai in past two weeks.

New Delhi: In a significant development, the air quality in the national capital seems to have improved during the two months with no high pollution day being recorded between February and March.

According to a study by the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), Delhi considered to be one of the most polluted cities in the world witnessed cleaner air than Mumbai in past two weeks.

On Monday, SAFAR data reveals that the air quality index (AQI) in Mumbai was 312, while Delhi recorded an overall AQI of 105 – which means Mumbai's air was almost three times worse than Delhi’s.

Between February 27 and March 13, 2017, the study found that 20% of the days in Mumbai had ‘very poor’ air quality, whereas Delhi and Pune did not have any ‘very poor’ days.

Delhi also saw a 40% ‘satisfactory’ air quality days, while Mumbai only had 13%. The city of Pune recorded 47% 'satisfactory'.

While the spike in air pollution level in Mumbai was a matter of concern, the improvement in Delhi's air came as a good news for the residents who have been exposed to high levels of pollutants, causing serious health risks.

In November 2016 post Diwali celebrations, Delhi witnessed the worst spell of smog in 17 years with the air pollution spiking far beyond acceptable levels. Levels of PM2.5 and PM 10 particulate matter hit 999 micrograms per cubic meter, while the safe limits for those pollutants are 60 and 100 respectively.