Air quality of Delhi worsens, many parts reel under ‘severe’ level air pollution

New Delhi's overall air quality worsened to the "very poor" category on Friday morning, according to official data. However, many parts of the city experienced "severe" levels of air pollution, including areas like IIT Delhi, ITO, Dwarka, Rohini, Punjabi Bagh, Alipur, Bawana, and Jahangirpuri.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) notes that "severe" level air pollution can affect healthy individuals and worsen conditions for those with pre-existing diseases. The 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi stood at 391 (very poor) at 9 a.m. on Friday, as per CPCB data. The AQI for the entire day was 369 (very poor) on Thursday at 4 p.m., slightly lower than the previous day's reading of 377 (very poor).

As New Delhi's air quality deteriorates once again, residents are expressing concern over the high cost of air purification products. Despite a Delhi High Court observation and a Parliamentary Standing Committee's recommendation to lower the 18% GST on purifiers and HEPA filters to 5%, the GST Fitment Committee maintained the 18% levy.

Experts predict that the "severe" level air pollution will persist for three days in Delhi. Every winter, Delhi-NCR and larger Indo-Gangetic Plains experience spikes in air pollution primarily due to meteorological factors such as lower wind speeds, cooler temperatures, stubble burning during October and November, and the bursting of firecrackers during the festive season, which exacerbate pollution from vehicles and dust.