Delhi’s air quality has deteriorated significantly, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching a concerning level of 331 on Tuesday morning, categorizing it as ‘very poor.’ This marks a worsening trend as the city’s air quality had already reached its worst in 271 days on Monday with an AQI of 324, rising from 261 on Sunday and a relatively moderate 60 on Friday.
Adding to the concern, eight areas in Delhi recorded ‘severe’ pollution levels. These areas, including Bawana, Narela, and Punjabi Bagh, contribute to the overall grim air quality scenario. In contrast, the monitoring station at IGNOU in Maidangarhi reported moderate air quality, showcasing the variability across the city.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) identifies PM2.5 as the primary pollutant at 53 of 58 monitoring stations, while PM10 dominated the remaining five, highlighting the particulates contributing to the air quality crisis in Delhi.
Farm fires in the neighboring states of Punjab and Haryana are compounding the pollution levels. Satellite data recorded 1,561 such fires between October 1 and November 2, with Punjab accounting for the majority at 1,406 incidents, while Haryana reported 155. On November 2 alone, 167 fires were detected.
In response to the escalating pollution, authorities have enacted Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR. These measures include staggering office timings for government and municipal employees across the region and increasing parking fees to discourage the use of private vehicles. Resident welfare associations are also urged to provide electric heaters to security personnel to prevent open burning as temperatures drop.