Delhi Air Quality Sees Slight Improvement, But Toxic Smog Still Looms Over City

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New Delhi [India], December 4 (ANI): Delhi's air quality showed a mild improvement on Thursday morning, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) standing at 299 at 8 am, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). This improvement is a welcome respite from the 'very poor' category the city was in on December 3, with an AQI of 342 at 4 pm. While some areas like Najafgarh (AQI of 286) and IGI Airport T3 (AQI of 255) saw significant improvement, others remained shrouded in toxic smog. Areas like Ghazipur and Akshardham reported thick haze, with visibility significantly reduced. The CPCB data shows that many areas in the National Capital fell into the 'very poor' category, with Anand Vihar (AQI of 316) and Sonia Vihar (AQI of 302) being among the worst affected. Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa has announced measures to combat air pollution, including the use of anti-smog guns, mechanised road sweepers, and water sprinklers in Delhi and surrounding cities. He also announced that the Municipal Corporation of Delhi will purchase 100 new mechanised road sweepers and that the PWD department will install tube wells and water pipelines to mitigate dust. The Delhi government has also ordered the identification and repair of potholes within 72 hours and has instructed the MCD to ensure that all 8000 km of roads are pothole-free and dust-free. The government has also agreed to prioritize large-scale tree plantation with public involvement, focusing on parks and roadside areas in the Delhi NCR region. According to AQI categorisation, 0-50 is 'good', 51-100 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300 'poor', 301-400 'very poor', and 401-500 'severe'. The government's efforts to combat air pollution are a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to ensure that the city's air quality improves significantly.