Delhi’s Air Quality Deteriorates To ‘Severe’ Level; Several Areas Record AQI Above 400
The national capital woke up to toxic air on Sunday as pollution levels plunged into the ‘severe’ category, with Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) touching 391 at 7 a.m., according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Several parts of the city crossed the 400-mark, indicating hazardous air conditions for residents.
Among the city’s monitoring stations, Bawana recorded the highest AQI at 436, followed closely by Patparganj (425), RK Puram (422), Sonia Vihar (415), Alipur (415), Chandni Chowk (409), and Anand Vihar (412)—all falling under the ‘severe’ category.
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The thick smog has reduced visibility in several parts of Delhi, with residents reporting eye irritation and breathing difficulties.
The pollution spike marks a sharp deterioration over the past few days. On Saturday (November 8), Delhi’s overall AQI stood at 355 (‘very poor’), while on Friday (November 7) it was 312, and on Thursday (November 6) it recorded 271 (‘poor’). This continuous rise reflects the worsening air quality trend since the Deepavali festival.
In response to the escalating situation, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has ordered staggered timings for government offices to reduce road congestion and vehicular emissions.
Meanwhile, the Delhi government also announced free LPG connections for slum dwellers as part of measures to curb pollution caused by biomass and solid fuel burning.
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Authorities have invoked Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which includes measures such as banning diesel generators, restricting construction activities, and doubling parking fees across the city.
The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) Delhi already enforced higher parking charges to discourage private vehicle use.
Over the past week, multiple CPCB stations recorded ‘very poor’ air quality, with Anand Vihar (332), Ashok Vihar (332), Bawana (366), Burari Crossing (345), ITO (337), Punjabi Bagh (343), and Rohini (336) among the worst affected. The persistent smog has prompted health warnings, especially for children, the elderly, and people with respiratory illnesses.
According to CPCB standards, an AQI between 0–50 is considered ‘good’, 51–100 ‘satisfactory’, 101–200 ‘moderate’, 201–300 ‘poor’, 301–400 ‘very poor’, and 401–500 ‘severe’.
Environmentalists have once again urged both government and citizens to take urgent action—reducing vehicle use, avoiding open burning, and adopting cleaner fuels—to prevent a full-blown public health crisis as the winter smog season sets in.
