The air pollution levels in Delhi finally dropped from ‘moderate’ to ‘satisfactory’ category on Thursday. The Air Quality Index (AQI), which was 120 last week, is now at overall 72 as recorded by Centre-run ‘System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research’ (SAFAR). Delhiites have been expecting this as the national capital, in fact, the entire India is under lockdown since days due to coronavirus scare.
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Major suspended polluting particles such as PM 2.5 and PM 10 stood at 36 and 72 mark respectively, falling in the ‘satisfactory or good’ category.
Satisfactory Air In Most Areas Of Delhi
According to SAFAR, Lodhi Road is an area which recorded the best air quality today morning with the concentration of PM 10 count of 63 (‘satisfactory’ category) while PM 2.5 standing at 49 (‘good’ category). Now, talking about Old Delhi’s popular Chandni Chowk which often has high levels of air pollution has surprisingly witnessed improvements in the quality of air as it stood at an AQI of 86 which too falls under satisfactory category.
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While other areas such as Dheerpur, Delhi University, Pusa road, area near International Airport, IIT Delhi, Mathura Road registered an AQI of 88, 67, 70, 84 and 82 respectively, all falling in the ‘satisfactory’ category.
Air In Delhi NCR
Adjoining Noida in Uttar Pradesh also recorded ‘satisfactory’ air quality with PM 10 and PM 2.5 docking at 90 and 88 respectively. Industrial hub, Gurugram has seen rather ‘good‘ quality of air today with the overall AQI standing at 49.
Air Quality Index
According to SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research), AQI between the range of 51 and 100 is considered as ‘satisfactory’ or ‘very good‘, 101-200 is ‘moderate‘, 201-300 falls under the category of ‘poor‘. While 300-400 is considered as ‘very poor‘, levels between 401-500 fall under the ‘severe or hazardous‘ category.
SAFAR Prediction
The SAFAR model predicts that AQI likely to be in the ‘satisfactory’ category for 27th, 28th and even 29th March as well which is a great thing.