Delhi's air quality has plummeted to hazardous levels on Diwali, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching as high as 354 on Monday morning. Several areas have been designated as "Red Zone" regions due to the severity of the pollution.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data indicated that 24 out of 38 monitoring stations in Delhi reported air quality in the "very poor" category on the eve of Diwali. Anand Vihar recorded an AQI exceeding 400, pushing it into the "severe" zone. On Diwali morning, Anand Vihar continued to register the worst AQI at 414, while Sri Aurobindo Marg station reported the best air quality at 158.
An AQI between 301 and 400 is classified as "very poor," while an AQI between 401 and 500 is considered "severe". A "good" AQI is between 0 and 50.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has implemented Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the Delhi-NCR region. This action was taken on Sunday after the capital's air quality deteriorated into the "very poor" category, crossing the 300 mark. Stage II of GRAP includes measures such as intensified monitoring of construction and demolition sites to ensure strict adherence to dust control rules. Measures are also being taken to support cleaner transportation, including increasing the frequency of CNG and electric buses and offering fare incentives for metro travel during off-peak hours. RWAs are encouraged to provide electric heaters to staff to reduce biomass burning. Furthermore, only CNG, electric, and BS-VI diesel interstate buses are permitted to enter Delhi, with the exception of tourist buses holding all-India permits.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that air quality will worsen and reach "severe" levels on Tuesday. They forecast temperatures on Monday to range from 21 to 33 degrees Celsius. The CAQM has instructed agencies to maintain strict vigilance on dust mitigation and ensure adherence to timelines for curbing air pollution.
The surge in pollution occurred despite the Supreme Court's permission for bursting green crackers during Diwali within a restricted time frame. The PM2.5 concentration in Delhi is currently 16.4 times above the WHO recommended guideline. Air quality across the National Capital Region has also deteriorated, with Ghaziabad, Noida, and Greater Noida recording AQIs of 296, 331, and 310, respectively.
