Delhi air quality reaches severe category ahead of Diwali festival
The city's overall Air Quality Index rose to 451 on Tuesday morning as pollution levels worsened across several areas.
Air pollution in Delhi worsened ahead of Diwali, with the city's overall Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 451 at 8 am on Tuesday, according to ANI. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported that several monitoring stations recorded AQI levels in the severe category, while many other areas experienced very poor air quality.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has invoked Stage-II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the National Capital Region (NCR) with immediate effect. This follows Stage-I restrictions that came into force on Sunday, November 1. Under Stage-II, municipal corporations and traffic police have been directed to enforce stringent actions, including mechanical sweeping and water sprinkling on heavy-traffic corridors.
Several areas recorded severe AQI levels, including Rohini at 429, Punjabi Bagh at 424, and Bawana at 408. Other locations in the very poor category included Patparganj at 379, R K Puram at 374, ITO at 373, and Chandni Chowk at 352. Relatively lower pollution levels were recorded at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport Terminal 3, which had an AQI of 287.
Under existing GRAP-I rules, vehicles registered outside Delhi that comply with BS-IV or older emission standards are not allowed to operate in the city until January 31. Exemptions apply to CNG and electric vehicles, ambulances, and fire tenders. Additionally, government and private offices are required to limit physical attendance to 50 per cent from November 1 to January 31.