New Delhi: The national capital and its surrounding regions woke up to a thick layer of smog, with air quality plunging into the ‘Very Poor’ category on Friday.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) surpassed 400 in multiple areas, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

On Kartavya Path, residents were seen walking and jogging despite the dense haze.

AQI readings of different parts of Delhi are

Anand Vihar: 408Bawana: 409Jahangirpuri: 424Nehru Nagar: 408Shadipur: 401

Meanwhile, Noida experienced a thinner smog layer, with the AQI recorded at 262, categorised as ‘Poor’ by the CPCB.

“The situation of pollution in Delhi is very bad. It is unfortunate. The schools have been made online. The no. of people coming for morning walks has also reduced. There is an irritation in the eyes…,” said Suryakant, a resident who came for a morning walk at Lodhi Road

At 7 am on Friday, the CPCB recorded Delhi’s AQI at 371, which placed it in the ‘very poor’ category.According to the CPCB data, the AQI measured at Chandni Chowk till 7 am was 359, IGI Airport (T3) 357, ITO 344, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium 342, RK Puram 372, Okhla Phase 2 374, Patparganj 379, Sonia Vihar 400 and Aya Nagar 359.

An AQI between 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 is satisfactory, 101-200 is moderate, 201-300 is poor, 301-400 is very poor and 401-500 is severe

“Pollution has increased. When the weather changes, pollution always increases in Delhi. We are youngsters, so it doesn’t affect us much, but the condition of the elderly is getting worse. I am also a student and my classes have gone online, so it is very good because the AQI is very high,” told a student in Delhi to ANI.

Gaurav a tourist who had come to visit India Gate said that the pollution is causing itching in the throat, sore throat, and a burning sensation in the eyes.

“Pollution is causing itching in the throat, sore throat, and burning sensation in the eyes. The only solution for this at the moment is to wear a mask and stay at home. The government should reduce the sources of pollution. Pollution is causing trouble for the elderly,” he told