Capital's AQI stands at 293
New Delhi: On Friday, December 10, 2021, the air quality in the national capital still stands at `poor` category. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in the city is recorded at 293.
The level of PM 2.5 and PM 10 in the air at 7.40 am stood Straight at `poor` and `moderate` levels, respectively; According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR).
In the NCR region of Noida and Gurugram, the air quality is again at its worst. With the AQI at 306, the air quality in Noida has worsened to the `very poor` category, while the air quality in Gurugram has reduced to the `poor` category where AQI is at 249.
An Air Quality Index between zero and 50 is considered to be `good`, 51 and 100 `satisfactory`, 101 and 200 `moderate`, 201 and 300 `poor`, 301 and 400 `very poor`, and 401 and 500 `severe`.
Earlier, the Ministry of Earth Sciences' air quality forecast agency said wind over the next three days is expected to be moderate enhancing mixing and ventilation of pollutants in it.
It further said, "With mostly clear sky conditions during day time, the peak mixing layer height is around 1.5 km causing moderate vertical mixing of emitted pollutants. Air quality for the next three days is likely to improve gradually but within the 'lower end of poor' or 'moderate' category."
Meanwhile, the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has ordered the immediate shut down of industries which are not running on PNG or cleaner fuels in industrial areas despite the availability of gas infrastructure and supply in their respective areas.
The Commission had directed orders to prepare an instant implementable Action plan by clearly specifying definite timelines for switching over of all identified industries units to PNG, where infrastructure and supply of gas are already available in the areas.
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