The national capital recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) under the ‘poor category’ at 209 on Sunday, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). With a minimum temperature of 19 degrees Celsius and a maximum temperature of 34 degrees Celsius, IMD has forecast the AQI to be in moderate category between 124 and 135 later today. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400.
Earlier on Friday, PK Mishra, principal secretary to the prime minister, expressed concern over the slow progress in clearing landfill sites and delays in implementing waste-to-energy projects in the national capital.
Chairing a meeting of the High-Level Task Force to address Delhi’s air pollution, Mr Mishra called for stronger enforcement of dust control at construction sites and better waste management.
He directed the agencies to prevent the open burning of waste and to promote greening and paving of road areas to reduce dust.