Delhis AQI Hits 373 in Very Poor Category for 7th Day

Delhi's air quality remained in the very poor category on Friday, with the Air Quality Index registering at 373 in the morning, marking the seventh consecutive day of hazardous pollution levels under a thick blanket of smog enveloping the capital, according to the Central Pollution Control Board.

The reading represented a slight improvement from Thursday's average of 391, but still fell within the 301 to 400 range classified as very poor by CPCB standards, where air quality poses risks to sensitive groups and the general population. Of the 39 monitoring stations across the city, 13 recorded severe levels above 400, while 23 others were in the very poor category. Wazirpur emerged as the most polluted hotspot with an AQI of 442, followed by areas such as Bawana at 430, Jahangirpuri at 433, Mundka at 435, Anand Vihar at 412, RK Puram at 406, Rohini at 421, Burari Crossing at 404 and Narela at 408. Only three stations, including IHBAS Dilshad Garden at 255, Lodhi Road at 286 and Mandir Marg at 278, reported poor air quality below 300.

The pollution crisis extended across the National Capital Region, where Ghaziabad recorded the highest AQI at 431 to 543, placing it firmly in the...