Delhi’s air quality took a significant hit on Tuesday morning as a dense haze enveloped the city, exacerbating pollution levels just ahead of Diwali. The Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 331 at 7:05 am, placing it firmly in the ‘very poor’ category. On Monday, the city’s 24-hour average AQI was recorded at 324, marking its worst air quality in 271 days, a notable increase from an AQI of 261 on Sunday and just 60 on Friday.
Eight of the capital’s 58 air quality monitoring stations reported pollution levels in the ‘severe’ category, including areas like Bawana, Narela, and Punjabi Bagh. In contrast, the monitoring station at IGNOU in Maidangarhi was the only one showing moderate air quality. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), PM2.5 particles were the primary pollutants at most stations, while PM10 dominated at five locations.
Adding to the pollution woes, farm fires have been identified as a contributing factor. Satellite data revealed 1,561 fires in Punjab and Haryana from October 1 to November 2, with Punjab accounting for 1,406 and Haryana 155 incidents, including 167 new fires on November 2.
Authorities have responded by implementing Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR. Measures include staggered office hours for government and municipal workers in Delhi and surrounding areas like Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddha Nagar. Additionally, parking fees have been increased to discourage the use of private vehicles, and resident welfare associations have been advised to provide electric heaters to security personnel to prevent open burning during colder periods.
