Gurgaon: The citys air quality index (AQI) remained in the poor category for the sixth consecutive day on Thursday at 235, up from 231 on Wednesday. While the wind speed was 8kmph on Thursday, it was 10kmph the previous day.According to the central governments System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (Safar), AQI is likely to improve after Saturday.The wind speed is expected to increase to 14kmph-18kmph after Saturday. The maximum air mixing depth (ventilation index) is likely to be 1,000 m2/s and 3,200 m2/s till Friday. The mixing height is likely to be around 6,500 m2/s on Saturday and 7,500 m2/s on Sunday over Delhi-NCR, it stated.According to CPCBs 24-hour average data, the air monitoring station in Teri Gram near the Aravalis recorded Thursdays worst AQI at 257 (poor), followed by Sector 51 (252). Vikas Sadan witnessed moderate air at 185. No data was available at the Gwalpahari station on Thursday.Both PM2.5 and 10 levels were much above the permissible limits on Thursday as usual, indicating pollutants from local sources, including vehicular emissions and dust. The PM2.5 level was highest in Teri Gram (276 µg/m³), followed by Sector 51 (216 µg/m³) and Vikas Sadan (202 µg/m³), according to CPCB data.The PM10 level was the highest at Teri Gram (256 µg/m³), followed by Sector 51 (214 µg/m³). Vikas Sadan doesnt record PM10 data. Meanwhile, experts pointed out the region is dependent on favourable meteorological conditions to tackle the air pollution problem. We cant wait for higher wind speeds or rise in mercury to clear pollutants from the atmosphere. A targeted year-long approach is required to improve the regions air quality, said Shubhansh Tiwari, a research associate at the Centre for Science and Environment.We also published the following articles recentlyAir improves slightly as wind speed picks up, but stays poorGurgaons air quality index (AQI) remained in the poor category at 224, with slight improvement from Sunday. The citys worst AQI was recorded at 311 in Sector 51, while other stations such as Gwalpahari, Teri Gram, and Vikas Sadan had AQIs of 193, 197, and 156 respectively. PM2.5 and PM10 levels were above the permissible limit, indicating pollution from local sources. The annual average permissible limits for PM2.5 and PM10 are 60g/m and 100g/m. The AQI is likely to slip back to a very poor category, according to SAFAR.Low wind speed set to keep air in poor zoneThe air quality in Noida and Ghaziabad improved somewhat due to rain, but remained poor. Noida recorded an AQI of 243, Greater Noida logged 255, and Ghaziabad 216. The worst AQI in Noida was recorded at Sector 62 with 254, followed by Sector 1 with 249 and Sector 116 with 227. The details of Sector 125 station were not available.Delhis air quality index reaches very poor categoryDelhis Air Quality Index (AQI) reached the very poor category in multiple areas on Tuesday morning, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The official data recorded at 07.00 am revealed an AQI of 340 in Anand Vihar, 315 in Ashok Vihar, 307 in ITO Delhi, and 332 in Jahangirpuri. The citizens, who have been battling high levels of air pollution, found relief as light rains showered in various areas of Delhi-NCR. Delhi Environment Minister, Gopal Rai, stated last week that GRAP-3 has been lifted in the capital city, but the government is committed to strictly implementing GRAP-1 and 2. The air quality index is measured on a scale of 0 to 500.

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