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Worry continues with very poor Air Quality Index in National Capital

Around 23 areas of city recorded ‘very poor’ air quality and four localities witnessed severe air quality

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Man who collects reusable items on Yamuna River rows a raft next to migratory birds on a morning of heavy air pollution on Tuesday
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The deadly pollution made a toxic comeback on Tuesday with thick cover of haze enveloping Delhi and National Capital Region. The air quality deteriorated further as several places in city recorded severe to very poor air quality.

The overall Air Quality Index settled at 343 on Tuesday, slotted in the 'very poor' category, according to the data recorded by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The CPCB further said that Dwarka Sector 8, Jahangirpuri, Mundaka, Narela, Nehru Nagar, Rohini, Anand Vihar and Wazirpur recorded 'severe' air quality, while 23 areas of Delhi recorded 'very poor' air quality.

The level of PM2.5 (particles in the air with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres) was recorded at 211 and the PM10 level was recorded at 394, it said.

An AQI between 0 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'.

In NCR, Ghaziabad recorded the worst air quality at the 'severe' level with an AQI of 407. Greater Noida, Gurgaon, Faridabad and Noida recorded 'very poor' air quality, the CPCB data showed.

According to the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, a haze has engulfed the national capital and the wind speed and ventilation index are "extremely unfavourable" for dispersion of pollutants. Ventilation index determines how fast pollutants can get dispersed. The ventilation index of around 6,000 sqm/second gets rid of pollutants, but it came down to 1,500 sqm/second on Tuesday in the city.

According to the Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting (SAFAR), the air quality is 'very poor' and will remain in the same category with a gradual increase in pollution level for the next two days. Experts have attributed this spike in pollution levels to Western Disturbance that is approaching Jammu and Kashmir and hence affecting wind direction as well its speed. "Easterly winds will continue till mid-week, with their speed too touching not more than 10km/hour," an official said, warning that low speed will not clear the pollutants. "Hence, the air quality is likely to remain in very poor category for the next few days," he added. Morning and evening are expected to be hazy due to thick cover of pollutants.

PUSH TO E-VEHICLES

The Delhi government on Tuesday came out with its draft electric vehicles policy, targeting 25% of all new vehicle registrations to be electric by 2023 through subsidy for such autos and two wheelers.  

It also recommends strengthening infrastructure to provide battery charging access within 3 km range from anywhere in Delhi. The policy has been put out in public domain and government has asked for suggestions  

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