Delhi’s air quality continued to remain in the ‘poor’ to ‘very poor’ category on Tuesday, reflecting ongoing pollution concerns across the national capital. Anand Vihar recorded the highest Air Quality Index (AQI) level at 331, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category.
Several other areas also reported alarming AQI levels, including Wazirpur (310), Mundka (290), Dwarka Sector-8 (286), Jahangirpuri (274), Rohini (271), and ITO (269). Meanwhile, relatively better readings were recorded at IIT Delhi (158) and Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium (195), though they still fall short of satisfactory air quality standards.
According to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), most monitoring stations across Delhi-NCR continue to report AQI levels significantly above permissible limits, indicating that pollution remains a persistent challenge.
Top court pushes for relocation of polluting units
In a significant development, the Supreme Court on Monday asked the Centre to consider shifting coal-based industries out of the Delhi-NCR region as part of long-term measures to tackle air pollution.
The court also agreed to examine a proposal to prohibit coal-based thermal power plants within a 300-km radius of the national capital. A three-judge Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has sought responses from the Union Ministries of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Power, and Petroleum.
The recommendations were put forward by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), which has been actively suggesting policy interventions to improve air quality in the region.
Winter chill fades, daytime heat intensifies
Delhi-NCR has been witnessing fluctuating weather patterns since early February, but temperatures are now steadily rising, signalling an early transition towards warmer conditions ahead of Holi.
The winter chill has largely receded and is now mostly limited to early mornings and late nights. In contrast, strong sunlight during the afternoon hours is becoming more pronounced, pushing daytime temperatures higher across the region.
Clear skies, light fog likely in morning hours
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the city is expected to experience mainly clear skies throughout the day. Light fog or mist may be observed during the morning hours, but no significant weather disturbances have been forecast.
The minimum temperature is expected to hover between 12 degrees Celsius and 14 degrees Celsius, while the maximum temperature may rise to between 29 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius. No rainfall has been reported, and no weather alerts have been issued, indicating stable and pleasant conditions overall.
The recent weather trends suggest that Delhi has moved past the peak winter phase, with warmer days now setting in gradually.
(With inputs from Agencies)