Delhi-NCR Chokes Under Thick Smog as AQI Hits 377; 20 Monitoring Stations Record Severe Air Quality

A thick blanket of smog continued to cover several parts of the national capital as winter conditions gradually set in across Delhi-NCR, bringing cooler temperatures alongside worsening pollution.

PM2.5 remained the dominant pollutant in the city. Several neighbourhoods recorded particularly high pollution levels, with Punjabi Bagh registering an AQI of 456 and Jahangirpuri recording 450, both falling in the 'severe' category.

Mundka and the area around IIT Delhi also reported alarming readings of 436 and 438, respectively.

Of Delhi's 59 air quality monitoring stations, 20 recorded 'severe' pollution levels, while 33 reported 'very poor' air quality. The remaining stations fell in the 'poor' category.

Multiple Areas Record Severe Pollution

Several other monitoring stations across the capital also reported elevated AQI levels.

Bawana recorded 411, Rohini 436, North Campus of Delhi University 416, R.K. Puram 428, Siri Fort 419 and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium 411.

Other readings included 424 at Sonia Vihar, 435 at Delhi Technological University, 435 at Vivek Vihar, 400 at Dwarka Sector 8 and 390 at the Commonwealth Sports Complex.

The AQI stood at 360 in Burari and IGI Airport Terminal 3, 361 in Nangloi, 383 at NSUT Jaffarpur and 379 in Najafgarh.

Stage II GRAP Restrictions Implemented Across NCR

The deterioration follows the implementation of Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on November 2, when Delhi's 24-hour average AQI reached 324, entering the 'very poor' category for the first time this season.

With Diwali approaching and pollution levels worsening across the region, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has enforced Stage II restrictions under GRAP throughout the National Capital Region with immediate effect.

Stage I measures were introduced on October 21, when Delhi's AQI stood at 244.

These measures include encouraging the use of public transport, checking Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates, enforcing restrictions on diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years, and prohibiting coal and firewood use at roadside eateries and commercial tandoors. Restrictions on diesel generator sets are also part of the plan.

Air Quality Likely to Remain Very Poor

According to the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi, pollution levels are expected to remain in the 'very poor' category until at least Friday, November 6.

The worsening conditions across Delhi-NCR have raised concerns as the region approaches the Diwali festivities, when additional pollution from firecrackers could further aggravate the situation.