Delhi-NCR chokes under smog as AQI enters ‘very poor’ ahead of Diwali
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New Delhi: Delhi-NCR witnessed a sharp deterioration in air quality on Tuesday, with the national capital recording an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 330, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category. Jahangirpuri emerged as the most polluted monitoring location, with an AQI of 451, falling under the ‘severe’ category.
Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed that eight monitoring stations across Delhi recorded AQI levels above 400. Rohini registered 431, Punjabi Bagh 424, while DTU and Bawana recorded 409 each. The thick smog also reduced visibility in neighbouring Noida and Gurugram, where high-rise buildings were barely visible.
The worsening pollution comes less than a week before Diwali, raising concerns over a further decline in air quality. Delhi had recorded its first ‘very poor’ reading of the season on Monday, when the AQI climbed from 312 in the morning to 331 by Tuesday.
In response, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) activated Stage 2 measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR on Monday. These include intensified road cleaning, water sprinkling, the use of anti-smog guns and higher parking charges to discourage private vehicle use.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has allowed the use of green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR on November 7 and 8 during designated morning and evening hours. A complete ban will resume from November 9.
With IANS inputs