Delhi AQI Touches 400 After Diwali, Burari Hits 441

Delhi woke to thick smog on Monday, November 9, a day after Diwali, as the citywide Air Quality Index (AQI) touched 400. That put the capital at the upper limit of the Central Pollution Control Board’s ‘very poor’ category. Several local readings were already in the ‘severe’ range, which starts at 401.

The haze was particularly thick in Inderlok, where visibility dropped in the early morning. The highest reading reported in the morning snapshot was 441 at Burari Crossing.

Burari, Vivek Vihar and Rohini Cross 430

Vivek Vihar recorded an AQI of 437, followed by Delhi Technological University at 434. Delhi University’s North Campus and Jahangirpuri both registered 433, while Rohini recorded 430.

Ghazipur reached 418 and Mundka 417. Punjabi Bagh stood at 409, while NIH Narela and ITO both recorded 407. Several other locations were close to the severe threshold, including CRRI Mathura Road at 396, Aya Nagar at 386 and Talkatora Garden at 384.

The readings were lower around Akshardham and Anand Vihar, at 337 and 335 respectively, though both remained in the ‘very poor’ category. Sri Aurobindo Marg recorded 267, classified as ‘poor’. Data for IIT Delhi and Dwarka Sector 8 was unavailable in the morning snapshot.

Stage III Curbs Were Already in Force

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan on Friday, November 6, ahead of Diwali. The measures apply across Delhi and adjoining areas of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. The commission can act on weather and pollution forecasts before the citywide AQI enters the ‘severe’ band. CAQM

Stage III adds tighter vehicle restrictions, curbs on construction and hybrid learning arrangements for primary school students. Earlier measures, including road dust controls and restrictions on open waste burning, continue alongside them.

The four-stage plan tightens restrictions as pollution worsens. Stage II corresponds to an AQI of 301 to 400 and Stage III to 401 to 450. Stage IV applies above 450 and brings additional restrictions on heavy goods vehicles and other sources of pollution.

Haze Also Reported in Mumbai and Lucknow

In Mumbai, haze covered parts of Kalanagar and Bandra. Kherwadi in Bandra East recorded an AQI of 264, followed by Sewri at 226, Ghatkopar at 221 and Chembur at 216. Readings varied across the city, with Worli at 148 and Kurla at 96.

Parts of Lucknow also woke to thick haze on Monday morning.

With inputs from ANI