While Delhi’s 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) was 361 on Saturday, in the ‘very poor’ category, several monitoring stations recorded ‘severe’ AQI readings of over 400, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data revealed.
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As of 6pm, Wazirpur had the highest AQI score of 424, followed by Bawana (424), Vivek Vihar (415), as well as Ittu and Rohini (408 each). (see box)
On Friday, Delhi recorded an average air quality index (AQI) of 322. According to the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) forecast, “Air quality is very likely to be in the ‘very poor’ category from November 9 to 11.”
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IITM’s Decision Support System (DSS) forecast shows that the contribution of stubble burning to Delhi’s PM2.5 levels is expected to rise to 31.24% on Sunday, making it the most significant source of pollution. Emissions from Delhi’s transport sector are expected to be the second largest contributor at 14.25%.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) of the National Capital Region and adjoining areas said it has held review meetings with the governments of Haryana and Punjab on measures taken to eliminate burning of tree stubble during the paddy harvesting season.
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CAQM said in a statement on Saturday that it had conducted field visits in Punjab to assess the situation on the ground.
During the inspection of the Lehra Mohabbat thermal power plant in Bathinda district, the CAQM chief “expressed grave concern over its poor operational condition and non-compliance with prescribed emission norms and air quality norms”. The CAQM said the president “warned that if immediate action is not taken, the Commission may be forced to issue closure directives for the plant.”
Following the visit, CAQM held a review meeting with the Punjab government on November 7. “Between September 15 and November 6, Punjab recorded 3,284 stubble burning incidents, compared to 5,041 during the same period last year, indicating a marginal improvement,” CAQM noted.
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But she pointed out that “some areas… Maksar and Fadilka showed an increase in the number of fires, which is a matter of concern and requires immediate intervention by the state.” “A lot needs to be done in Punjab to achieve complete elimination of tree stubble burning,” CAQM said.
Assessing Haryana’s performance, the CAQM said the state has shown a “significant reduction in stubble burning incidents through incentive schemes, enforcement and on-ground interventions”. From September 15 to November 6, Haryana reported 206 farm fires compared to 888 last year.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) on Saturday clarified that there has been “no manipulation of air quality data” at monitoring stations and that all readings are “transparently monitored and reported”.
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The DPCC said in a statement that it operates 24 monitoring stations and that “nearly 99% of the stations provide continuous data,” with only “shorter outages or anomalies” in some locations. “All parameters are published on the DPCC website, and the Air Quality Index (AQI) is then calculated and released by the CPCB,” the statement said, adding that the system ensures “full transparency in monitoring and reporting practices.”
The DPCC added that pollution mitigation measures were “proactively initiated this year”, unlike last year when GRAP Phase 3 restrictions were implemented from November 13.
(Tags for translation)Air Quality Index in Delhi
