The city recorded its worst AQI on Diwali Day in the last three years. As per the CPCB data, the AQI in Delhi on Diwali day last year was 218, in 2022 was 312, in 2021 it was 382 and in 2020 it was 414.
An AQI between zero and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400 very poor, and 401 and 500 severe.
As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, many areas in the city recorded AQI over 380, while the air quality increased past 390 and was near 400 in several areas. RK Puram witnessed an AQI of 398.
Meanwhile, news agency Reuters reported, quoting Swiss firm IQ Air, that the national capital’s air quality index stood at 348, taking it to the ‘hazardous’ category, and pushing it to the top of a the real-time list as the world’s most polluted city.
Last month, the Delhi government announced a complete ban on all type of firecrackers till January 1, 2025.
The Delhi government banned the manufacture, storage and selling, including delivery via online marketing platforms and bursting of all types of firecrackers till January 1, 2025.
However, the region witnessed the bursting of firecrackers depsite the ban, The Delhi Fire Department said it recieved the highest number of calls on Diwali night, in the past decade. The totla number went up to 320 till November 1. As many as three deaths and 12 injuries were reported after hundreds of calls on Diwali night, the Delhi Fire Services said, news agency ANI reported.
The government’s move had been to combat the air pollution issues the region faces every year around Diwali and in the winter due to stubble burning, lower wind speeds and other seasonal factors.