Delhi AQI crosses 450 before Diwali: Severe pollution grips capital as GRAP curbs tighten

Diwali is still days away, but Delhi is already breathing some of its worst air of the season. The capital’s Air Quality Index (AQI) touched 451 at 8 am on Tuesday, November 3, placing it in the severe category and raising concerns about another spell of hazardous-looking winter smog.

The reading marks a sharp deterioration ahead of the festival, when firecracker emissions could add to the pollution burden. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), several monitoring stations recorded severe air quality, while much of the city remained in the very poor range.

Rohini recorded an AQI of 429, followed by Punjabi Bagh at 424 and Bawana at 408. Other areas were not far behind: Patparganj registered 379, RK Puram 374, ITO 373, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium 355, and Chandni Chowk and Okhla Phase 2 both recorded 352.

Even locations with comparatively lower readings remained polluted. IGI Airport’s Terminal 3 recorded 287, Anand Vihar 279, Uttam Nagar 274 and Lodhi Road 226.

Under India’s AQI classification, readings above 400 fall in the severe category. The term “hazardous” is sometimes used informally, but it is not the CPCB’s official category name.

GRAP Stage II in Delhi-NCR: What restrictions are in force?

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the NCR on Monday, after Delhi’s AQI entered the very poor category. The order requires authorities to intensify mechanical and vacuum sweeping, sprinkle water mixed with dust suppressants on roads, and focus on traffic corridors and pollution hotspots.

Inspections at construction and demolition sites are also being stepped up. Other measures include stricter checks on polluting vehicles, regulating diesel generator sets, discouraging private vehicle use through higher parking charges and encouraging public transport.

Delhi border checks: Older vehicles turned back

The pollution crackdown is also being felt at the capital’s entry points. Delhi Police intensified checks at the Ghazipur border, enforcing restrictions on the entry of certain non-BS-VI vehicles registered outside the city.

Traffic police had checked 7,657 vehicles and sent 609 non-compliant vehicles back from Delhi’s borders between November 1 and November 2. The checks have also caused traffic congestion at several entry points, including Ghazipur and the Delhi-Gurugram border.

The immediate challenge is to prevent the air from deteriorating further before Diwali. With forecasts pointing to continued very poor conditions, the coming days will test whether enforcement and weather conditions can keep the pollution spike from becoming another prolonged winter crisis.

(With inputs from ANI)