Delhi: A thick blanket of smog engulfed Delhi on Tuesday morning, a day after Diwali celebrations, pushing the city’s air quality into the “very poor” category. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 350 at 8 am, signalling a sharp deterioration following widespread use of firecrackers.
Several parts of the capital reported pollution levels far exceeding the city’s average. Bawana, Jahangirpuri, and Wazirpur recorded AQI levels of 423, 407, and 408 respectively — all in the “severe” range, which can affect even healthy individuals. Other areas, including Ashok Vihar (389), Burari Crossing (399), and Punjabi Bagh (376), also registered dangerously high readings.
Across Delhi, most monitoring stations remained in the red zone. Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 358, ITO at 342, Lodhi Road at 322, and IGI Airport at 302. Health experts have warned that exposure to “very poor” air quality can trigger respiratory problems and aggravate pre-existing conditions. The CPCB classifies AQI readings between 301–400 as “very poor” and 401–500 as “severe.”
The post-Diwali spike comes despite the Supreme Court’s directive allowing only limited use of green firecrackers under strict conditions. In response to the pollution surge, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has enforced Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the National Capital Region.
Under GRAP Stage 2, authorities are required to undertake mechanical and vacuum road sweeping, daily water sprinkling with dust suppressants, increased parking fees to discourage private vehicle use, and enhanced public transport services. Inspections at construction and demolition sites have also intensified to reduce dust emissions.
Meanwhile, other major Indian cities reported elevated pollution levels but remained below Delhi’s extreme range. Mumbai’s AQI stood at 214 (“poor”), Patna at 224, Jaipur at 231, and Lucknow at 222. Southern cities such as Bengaluru (94), Hyderabad (107), and Chennai (153) fared better, recording “satisfactory” to “moderate” air quality.
With winter approaching, experts caution that stagnant weather conditions could trap pollutants, potentially worsening Delhi’s air quality and pushing it further into the “severe” zone in the coming days.
