Delhi's air quality improves to 'poor' category
What's the story
Delhi's air quality continued to improve as today, the pollution level reached to 'poor' category after oscillating between 'very poor' and 'severe' for nearly three weeks.
The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 231, which falls in the 'poor' category.
On Friday, the AQI was recorded at 370, which came down to 336 yesterday, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Data
What are the parameters of Air Quality Index?
An Air Quality Index (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'.
Reasons
Air quality may deteriorate from Monday: Authorities
The PM2.5 (particles in the air with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers) level was recorded at 106, while the PM10 (diameter less than 10 micrometers) level was recorded at 198 in the national capital today.
Authorities have attributed the improvement in air quality to control measures but they have also warned of deterioration of air quality to 'severe' levels from Monday.
Preventive Efforts
The 'Clean Air Campaign' started showing off its results
Delhi authorities have stepped up efforts to combat pollution which includes measures like halting construction activities and regulating traffic.
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has also directed the Transport Department to intensify checking of polluting vehicles and control travel congestion in the region during November 1-10 "Clean Air Campaign".
A total penalty of Rs. 80 lakh was imposed on violators Friday and Saturday.
Violation
On 465 complaints, fine of Rs. 41,82,500 imposed on Saturday
The teams deployed to monitor implementation of measures to combat pollution in Delhi-NCR under the campaign are visiting different parts of Delhi and adjacent towns of Faridabad, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, and Noida.
Based on 465 complaints, a total fine of Rs.41,82,500 was imposed Saturday itself by 52 teams in the national capital, which has witnessed deteriorating air quality in the past two weeks, CPCB said.
Information
The complaints related to illegal construction and demolition activities
The highest number of complaints were related to illegal construction and demolition activities, the CPCB said. On Friday, a total of 576 complaints were received and a fine of Rs. 38,68,500 was imposed, it said.