Delhi records cleanest July air in last 4 years

Delhi recorded its cleanest air during July 2023 over the last four years with the Air Quality Index (AQI) index being categorised as good to moderate on all 31 days of the month.

The month of July this year also recorded the third highest rainfall in the last 21 years. The heavy rain helped to keep construction and road dust from polluting the air and also gave residents of the capital the coolest July in the last 7 years.

Delhi experienced all 31 days with ‘Good to Moderate’ Air Quality Index (AQI) in July,  according to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).

The average AQI in July this year was 83.7, which is better than the 87.3 recorded for the month last year, 110.1 in 2021, 83.8 in 2020, and 134.1 in 2019.

 “The number of ‘Good to Moderate’ Air Quality Days for the 31 days in July was 26 in the year 2019; 31 in 2020; 29 in 2021; 31 in 2022; and 31 in the current year 2023,” CAQM said.

During the 31 days period of July of the current year, Delhi has witnessed the lowest levels of daily average PM10 and PM2.5 concentration, as compared to the corresponding period for the last 4 years i.e. from 2019 onwards and is comparable to the average PM10 and PM2.5 concentration of July, 2020.

CAQM urged the Delhi government, NCR State Governments, DPCC and SPCBs, regulatory bodies, industries, RWAs, civil society organizations and citizens to further contribute towards clean air to reduce integrated exposure and protect public health.

 CAQM said it is working closely with various stakeholders concerned to take effective measures for the prevention, control and abatement of air pollution and to improve the overall air quality in the National Capital Region.