Delhi breathes easy for second straight day with AQI at 89
The Hindu
Delhi records cleanest air in 8 months, credits government's 100-day action plan; IMD issues thunderstorm alert.
Delhi continued to record clean air for the second consecutive day, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) remaining in the 'satisfactory' category at 89.
On Wednesday, the city recorded its cleanest air in over eight months, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed.
According to the CPCB, an AQI between zero 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'.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa credited the government's 100-day action plan for the improvement in the capital's air quality.
He said 6,482 km of roads were swept in just 24 hours, as part of over 11 lakh km cleaned since February 20, claiming that 1,353 km of roads were being sprinkled daily, with 744 kilolitres of water used in the last 24 hours.
"This improvement is not accidental. It is the result of a relentless 100-day effort — of policy-backed implementation, sustained on-ground action, and political determination. Delhi has finally proven that with the right will and vision, clean air is possible," Mr. Sirsa said.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a 'yellow' alert for thunderstorm and moderate to heavy rainfall in the capital for Thursday night.

The sudden demise of Deputy Chief Minister and NCP supreme Ajit Pawar has thrown Maharashtra's politics in a state of flux. The regional power equations in a turbulent political ecosystem are likely to change due to the death of a mass leader with a strong grip over administration, and acceptance across the entire party leadership. As the chequered path of succession will be discussed, throwing several names from the Pawar family and outside the Pawar family in the ring, speculations on whether his wife Sunetra Pawar will emerge as the dark horse, have also emerged. What will be the decision of the Pawar family, how will Mahayuti be shaped now, what path will the senior satraps of NCP who had accepted Ajit Pawar's leadership, take? His death has led to several unanswered questions, leaving a void in the State politics for a long time.












