New Delhi, 20 Jan (.) Toxic air tightened its grip on Gurugram, recording the worst air quality in the nation on Tuesday as AQI values inched closer to the ‘severe’ air category.
At 4 PM, Gurugram’s 24-hour average AQI touched 394, witnessing a surge from Monday’s 379, while remaining in the ‘very poor’ category, as the values hovered near the hazardous air levels. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the readings were the worst the city experienced this winter season.
Previously, Gurugram reported AQI values in this range on December 18, 2024, when the readings climbed up to 400, edging the ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ categories.
Ghaziabad, with an AQI of 393, logged the second-worst air quality in India, followed closely by Noida at 382 on Tuesday.
Among the country’s most polluted cities, five were from the National Capital Region (NCR), recording AQI readings in the upper end of the ‘very poor’ category. Delhi’s AQI touched 378, marginally higher than Greater Noida’s 375.
Despite the foul air across the NCR, Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Tuesday revoked Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi and NCR with immediate effect.
. MBJ KK