New Delhi, Oct 30 (UNI) There was no improvement in the pollution level in Delhi on Friday as the Air Quality Index (AQI) was again 395 for the past 24 hours, Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) daily bulletin said.
On Thursday too, the average AQI was exactly the same, falling under the upper limit of the "very poor" category.
In the National Capital's adjuncts, the AQI on Friday was 412 (severe) in Greater Noida, 384 (very poor) in Gurugram, 376 (very poor) in Faridabad, 383 (very poor) in Noida.
An 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'.
All the readings for the Delhi-NCR were under "red category" and such air quality can cause respiratory illness on prolonged exposure.
According to the government-run air quality agency-- System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR)--as many as 1,143 stubble fires were counted till Thursday and they contributed
19 per cent of total particulate matter in Delhi's pollution.
"The SAFAR model predicts that AQI is likely to improve to the middle end of Very poor by tomorrow. However, a significant improvement is forecast for 1st November to the lower-end of the Very Poor to Poor category", the agency stated.
The Centre has promulgated an Ordinance for the constitution of body "Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas" to check the air pollution.
The commission will work in coordination with states and has the jurisdiction power to impose penalty or award sentences.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has also launched a ‘Green Delhi’ mobile application where people can give immediate feedback of the air quality and register their complaint.
The app lets people register complaints against activities such as waste burning, dust emissions from construction work, polluting vehicles and industrial pollution, among others.
Meanwhile, as per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the maximum temperature recorded on Friday was 33 degrees Celsius, one degree above normal, while the minimum was 13.1 deg C, three notches below par.
The relative humidity at 0830 hrs was recorded at 77 per cent.
While the National Capital witnessed a hazy day today, it is forecast to have a misty Saturday with maximum temperature likely to be 31 deg C and minimum 13 deg C.
UNI JAL PS1747