Ahmedabad air turns hazardous: AQI rises to 212

Ahmedabad’s air quality continued to deteriorate late on Thursday night, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) climbing to a worrying 212. Thaltej recorded the most polluted air in the city, touching an AQI level of 300.

According to data, 12 locations in Ahmedabad crossed the AQI mark of 200 by Thursday night. While the city’s average AQI remained below 100 during the afternoon, pollution levels started rising sharply after 6 pm. By 8 pm, the AQI had surged to 212.

On Thursday night, Ahmedabad’s pollution levels were higher than those in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad. Mumbai reported an AQI of 148, while Delhi remained the most polluted among major cities, recording an AQI of 407.

Rising pollution can lead to an increase in respiratory problems, especially among vulnerable groups, according to health experts. They advise citizens to wear masks while stepping outdoors to minimise exposure to polluted air.