Delhi’s air quality remains poor for the third consecutive day

NEW DELHI: Delhi’s air quality was categorized   “very poor” again on October 21 and October 22, authorities have warned that further deterioration is expected in the next couple of days.

According to the data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index was recorded at 301, which falls in the ‘very poor’ category. The worst air quality of this season was recorded at AQI 365 on October 22 at Dwarka Sector 8. Wazirpur, Anand Vihar, Mundaka, Narela, Nehru Nagar and Rohini. All showed ‘very poor’ air quality and are inching towards severe pollution levels.

The Apex Court directed, on October 19,  the Environment Protection Control Authority to hold a meeting with Delhi government officials to discuss the issue of environmental degradation in the national capital.

An EPCA member on Friday said that they took stock of the situation and it was decided that special attention would be given to vulnerable hotspots where ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’ air quality is observed.

A CPCB official said that a number of factors were responsible for the deteriorating air quality, including vehicular pollution, construction activities and meteorological factors like the direction of wind which is now flowing from the stubble burning areas.