R-Day air quality 'very poor' in Delhi

New Delhi: Air quality of the national capital remained 'very poor' on Thursday with the level of particulates violating safe standards by up to three times during the parade hours when thousands thronged Rajpath.

According to SAFAR, the running average of PM 2.5 and PM 10, dominant ultrafine particulates in Delhi's air, were 130 and 236 micrograms per cubic metre respectively, as against 60 and 100 that are considered safe.

During parade hours, between 10-11.30 AM, real-time volume of PM 2.5 and PM 10 shot up to 199 and 237 micrograms per cubic metres at the RK station as monitored by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC).

At Mandir Marg, the corresponding readings were 144 and 390. Situation later improved as rains lashed the city that helped in dispersing the pollutants.

Overcast weather also left many dejected at the Republic Day parade. Thick cloud cover curtained the flypast of Indian Air Force jets, a major attraction at the annual parade.

Very poor conditions have been prevailing in Delhi over the past few weeks. The Supreme Court-empowered green panel EPCA has rolled out several measures that are to be enforced under the current pollution levels as per the Centre's Graded Response Action Plan.