Delhi’s air quality plummeted to alarming levels on Tuesday as the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 331, categorizing the city’s air as ‘very poor’ just days ahead of the Diwali festival. A dense haze enveloped the national capital in the morning, reflecting a worsening pollution trend that recorded the highest AQI in 271 days.
According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), on Monday, Delhi’s 24-hour average AQI was 324, increasing from 261 on Sunday. This deterioration follows a significant drop since the AQI was 60 on Friday, indicating a rapid decline in air quality.
Out of 58 active air quality monitoring stations in Delhi, eight reported ‘severe’ pollution levels on Tuesday. Areas such as Bawana, Narela, and Punjabi Bagh were particularly affected, while the station at IGNOU in Maidangarhi was the only one to register moderate air quality. PM2.5 particles were identified as the primary pollutant at 53 of these monitoring locations, with PM10 being the main concern at the remaining five.
The surge in pollution is partly attributed to farm fires, with satellite data recording 1,561 incidents across Punjab and Haryana from October 1 to November 2. These fires, predominantly in Punjab, are a known contributor to the seasonal smog that blankets Delhi and its surroundings.
In response to the deteriorating air quality, authorities have enforced Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR. Measures include adjusting office hours for government and municipal employees in affected areas, increasing parking fees to reduce private vehicle use, and encouraging resident welfare associations to provide electric heaters to curb open burning during colder periods.