Delhi chokes on Diwali as AQI climbs to 384, nears severe mark

Delhi recorded severe air quality at 11 monitoring stations on Diwali morning. Unfavourable weather, emissions and festive activity intensified concerns as GRAP Stage III remained enforced.

In Short

• Punjabi Bagh logged the highest reading, followed closely by RK Puram
• Slow winds and low ventilation trapped pollutants across the national capital
• Transport contributed 21.4 per cent of Saturday's estimated pollution load

“Delhi woke up to 'very poor' air quality on Diwali morning, with the city recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 384, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The pollution situation remained particularly concerning in several parts of the capital, with 11 monitoring stations reporting AQI readings above 400, placing them in the severe category.

Punjabi Bagh recorded the highest reading at 450.

At 6 am, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the area around Anand Vihar stood at 328, placing it in the 'very poor' category.

Of the 23 monitoring stations listed in the 6 am update, 11 recorded AQI readings above 400, falling in the severe category. The remaining 12 stations reported readings between 301 and 400, indicating very poor air quality.

Punjabi Bagh recorded the highest AQI at 450, followed by RK Puram at 449 and IIT Delhi at 446. Dwarka also reported a reading of 444, while CRRI Mathura Road recorded 425 and Siri Fort registered 423.

North Campus of Delhi University and Chandni Chowk both recorded an AQI of 423. Pusa reported 415, Burari Crossing 411 and NSUT Jaffarpur 409.

Among the other locations, Narela recorded an AQI of 399, followed by ITO at 396 and Mandir Marg at 393. Talkatora Garden and Aya Nagar both registered 369, while Burari recorded 370. Uttam Nagar reported an AQI of 373.

Vasundhara Enclave recorded 356, while Tikri Kalan and Badarpur both reported 349. Karala registered 337 and Lodhi Road recorded an AQI of 333.

WEATHER CONDITIONS, VEHICLE EMISSIONS ADD TO POLLUTION

Weather and air quality experts have attributed the expected deterioration in Delhi's air quality to unfavourable meteorological conditions, Diwali-related celebrations, vehicular emissions and the seasonal rise in stubble burning across neighbouring states.

The air quality warning system has cautioned that low ventilation levels and average wind speeds of less than 10 kilometres per hour could make it difficult for pollutants to disperse. Such conditions can cause pollutants to remain concentrated in the atmosphere. PM10 was identified as the main pollutant in Delhi on Saturday.

The Delhi government's Decision Support System (DSS) identified the transport sector as the largest contributor to the city's pollution on Saturday, accounting for 21.4 per cent of the estimated pollution load.

Stubble burning contributed an estimated 1.7 per cent to Delhi's pollution on Saturday. This share was projected to rise to 5.4 per cent on Sunday, according to data reported by news agency Press Trust of India (PTI).

Satellite data detected 589 crop-residue burning incidents across six states on Friday. Punjab accounted for 357 incidents, followed by Madhya Pradesh with 139 and Rajasthan with 58. Uttar Pradesh reported 23 incidents, Haryana nine and Uttarakhand three.

A total of 6,226 farm-fire incidents were detected across the six states between September 15 and November 6.

The figures were included in a bulletin issued by the Consortium for Research on Agroecosystem Monitoring and Modelling from Space (CREAMS) Laboratory of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute.

GRAP STAGE III RESTRICTIONS IN FORCE ACROSS DELHI-NCR

Amid concerns over worsening air quality ahead of Diwali, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR on Friday, November 6. The restrictions were introduced as a precautionary measure in view of the pollution forecast.

Under GRAP Stage III, non-essential construction and demolition activities that generate dust have been prohibited. Operations at stone crushers and mining-related activities have also been restricted.

The measures include restrictions on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel light motor vehicles in Delhi and the adjoining NCR districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddh Nagar.

Certain categories of diesel goods vehicles are also subject to restrictions.

Schools up to Class V have been given the option of conducting classes in a hybrid mode, combining physical and online learning. Authorities may also consider allowing 50 per cent of employees in government and private offices to work from home.

Residents have been advised to use public transport, share vehicles and consider walking or cycling for shorter journeys.

The measures also include discouraging the burning of coal and wood for heating.

With Diwali falling on Sunday, pollution levels remain a concern as unfavourable weather conditions, emissions and festive activities could add to the existing pollution load.

GRAP Stage III restrictions remain in force across the region as authorities seek to contain further deterioration in air quality.

- Ends