Delhi air quality hits severe category on Diwali morning
The city's overall Air Quality Index rose to 483 on Sunday as several areas recorded pollution levels above 400.
Delhi's air quality worsened on Sunday morning, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 483 at 8:10 am, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data reported by The New Indian Express. This shift into the severe category follows a reading of 364 at 8 am on Saturday, which was classified as very poor.
At least eight monitoring stations in the capital recorded severe pollution levels on Sunday morning. Punjabi Bagh registered an AQI of 449, followed by RK Puram at 448, Bawana at 446, and both IIT Delhi and Rohini at 445. Other areas in the severe category included Patparganj at 421, Chandni Chowk at 420, and Alipur at 413.
Other parts of the city remained in the very poor category, with India Gate at 398, Narela at 395, the Akshardham Temple area at 336, and Anand Vihar at 328. Many residents reported a thick layer of haze and low visibility as winter conditions set in.
The deterioration follows the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoking Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR on Friday. This emergency framework is implemented in coordination with the CPCB and state governments to manage pollution levels.
Under Stage III, BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers are prohibited from driving in Delhi and designated NCR districts. Additionally, non-essential construction activities that generate significant dust, such as demolition and road work, have been suspended.