On Diwali morning in Delhi, a thick blanket of smog covered the city, pushing air quality into the “very poor” category.
According to private air quality monitor AQI.in, Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 354 at 7 a.m., while the Air Quality Early Warning System (EWS) recorded it slightly lower at 330.
The sharp decline in air quality has been attributed to crackers, stubble burning, and heavy vehicular traffic, which together worsened pollution levels across the National Capital Region (NCR). The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has ordered the immediate enforcement of Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), following the steady deterioration of air quality since Sunday evening.
On Diwali eve, Delhi’s AQI had already touched 304, marking its entry into the “very poor” range. Over the past week, the city’s average AQI hovered around 296 — categorised as “poor.” An AQI between 301 and 400 is considered “very poor,” while anything above 400 is deemed “severe.”
Data from AQI.in shows that air quality worsened rapidly after 10 p.m. on Sunday, peaking at 371 around 3 a.m. on Monday. Some areas recorded extreme pollution levels, with Ashok Vihar Phase 2 logging a shocking 714 AQI, while several other localities crossed 400, placing them in the “hazardous” zone.
Experts estimate that breathing Delhi’s air currently equals smoking around 8.3 cigarettes a day, based on PM2.5 concentration levels over the past 24 hours.
Across the NCR, conditions were equally grim. At 7 a.m., Ghaziabad recorded an AQI of 296, Noida registered 331, and Greater Noida stood at 310 — all within the “very poor” to “hazardous” categories.
On Monday morning, Delhi’s temperature was 22.8°C with 90% humidity, conditions that often trap pollutants closer to the ground. The PM2.5 concentration was recorded at 245 µg/m³, more than 16 times the World Health Organization’s safe limit of 15 µg/m³.
To curb further pollution, authorities have directed civic bodies to raise parking fees to discourage private vehicle use and have banned diesel generators, except for essential services such as hospitals, airports, and emergency operations.
Health experts have urged residents to stay indoors, use air purifiers where possible, and avoid strenuous outdoor activities, especially for children, the elderly, and those with respiratory or cardiac conditions.