Delhi air quality enters severe category in several areas after Diwali
The city's overall air quality index stood at 366 on Monday, placing the national capital in the very poor category.
Delhi woke up to a thick blanket of toxic smog on Monday, November 9, a day after Diwali celebrations, according to reports from Moneycontrol, Firstpost, and Mathrubhumi. The deteriorating air quality, worsened by firecracker emissions, pushed pollution levels into the severe category in several neighbourhoods.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded a citywide average AQI of 366 at 6:15 am, which falls in the very poor category. This follows an average AQI of 376 on Sunday and 369 on Saturday.
Several monitoring stations recorded severe pollution levels. Sonia Vihar recorded the highest AQI at 449, while Burari Crossing, Vivek Vihar, Jahangirpuri, Delhi University North Campus, and Rohini reported levels between 435 and 445. Other areas including DTU, Bawana, Chandni Chowk, Patparganj, Mundka, NIH Narela, Punjabi Bagh, and the Commonwealth Sports Complex also recorded AQI levels above 400.
The ITO station clocked an AQI of 406 at 4:20 am, categorising it as severe. Other areas such as Rajiv Chowk and South Extension remained in the very poor category, with readings of 381 and 360 respectively.
The worsening air quality has sparked political friction. Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra alleged on X that a campaign was being orchestrated from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal's residence to target Diwali and Sanatan Dharma under the pretext of pollution.
Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is currently in force across Delhi-NCR. A complete ban on bursting firecrackers will come into place starting November 9, following a Supreme Court ruling that allowed the use of certified green crackers during specific hours on November 7 and 8.