Delhi records year's best air quality on Tuesday: Authorities

The national capital recorded its best air quality this year on Tuesday as incessant rains removed pollutants from the air, authorities said.

This was the third time this year that the quality of air was registered as good.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) on Tuesday was recorded at 38, which is the lowest this year, according to the Centre's System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research institute (SAFAR).

Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan said due to concerted efforts by the government, the Air Quality Index of Delhi has improved during the last three years.

"With the concerted efforts by the government, the Air Quality Index of Delhi has improved during the last three years. The Good to Moderate categories days have increased from 99 in 2016 to 142 in 2017 and 147 till September 24," he tweeted.

An official of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) said rains in the last few days removed pollutants from the air leading to improvement in air quality.

Last Saturday the AQI was 48, while on July 28 it was 43.

An AQI in the range of 0-50 is considered 'good', 51-100 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300 'poor', 301-400 'very poor' and 401-500 'severe'.

The PM10 level (presence of particles with diameter less than 10 mm) was recorded as 'good' at 37 in Delhi-NCR and 35 in Delhi. The PM2.5 level (presence of particles with diameter less than 2.5 mm) was 19 in Delhi-NCR and 18 in Delhi, according to the CPCB data.