Delhi’s air smacked into “very poor” territory on Friday, with the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) spiking past 300 in most neighborhoods. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) released a snapshot at 7 a.m.: Delhi’s average AQI was 312, a steep rise after two days of lighter smog.
The surrounding metropolis saw equally high numbers—Faridabad hit 295, Gurugram 288, Ghaziabad 296, Greater Noida 275, and Noida 289. In many parts of the capital, AQI readings ranged from 300 to 400, signalling dangerously poor air.
A thick gray haze rolled in early, cutting visibility and settling over key spots. Near Chandni Chowk, the AQI climbed to 350, while the airport area hovered at 290, still in the “poor” zone.
Experts blame the drop in temperatures and a surge in crop‑residue burning across Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. Stubble burning accounted for 21.5 % of Delhi’s fine‑particle (PM2.5) load on Thursday and is expected to rise to nearly 37 % on Friday, holding high levels into Saturday. Satellite images logged 94 burning incidents in Punjab, 13 in Haryana, and 74 in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday alone.
The air quality has swung between “poor” and “very poor” since Diwali, with occasional spikes to the “severe” range. Activists, including environmental groups and students, marched to Jantar Mantar on Thursday, demanding clearer action from the government to protect citizens’ rights to clean air and better public health.
Forecasts show that Delhi will likely stick with “very poor” air at least through Thursday night, as officials keep a close eye on pollution trends and stubble‑burn activity across the region.
Source: ianslive
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