Delhi’s air quality plummeted to a new low on Monday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) soaring above 400 in several areas, crossing into the “severe” category.
This deterioration follows an alarming rise in pollution levels over the weekend, as meteorological conditions conspired to trap pollutants in the city’s atmosphere.
According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), monitoring stations reported AQI levels exceeding 400 at 7 a.m. in key areas, including Anand Vihar (433), Wazirpur (414), Jahangirpuri (413), Rohini (409), and Punjabi Bagh (404). Other parts of Delhi recorded air quality in the “very poor” range.
The worsening air quality has been attributed to low wind speeds, low temperatures, and calm weather, which have prevented pollutant dispersal.
The Air Quality Early Warning System (EWS) for Delhi indicated that these “extremely unfavourable” meteorological conditions are expected to persist, heightening health concerns across the region.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast mist and smog from Monday through Wednesday, with anticipated wind speeds below 10 kmph likely to compound pollution woes.
This comes after the capital recorded its highest AQI reading of the season at 382 on Sunday, a steep climb from the previous day’s 316.
Measures to address pollution surge
In response to the escalating pollution levels, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has stepped up its anti-pollution efforts, enforcing the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) and implementing penalties across multiple sectors.
Between 15 and 31 October, the agency sanctioned 56 construction and demolition sites and issued fines at 597 sites for non-compliance with pollution
norms.
Traffic-related enforcement has also been intensified, with fines issued to over 54,000 vehicles lacking valid pollution certificates and the impounding of nearly 3,900 vehicles that exceeded age restrictions.
Furthermore, CAQM has cracked down on illegal waste dumping, conducting over 5,300 inspections and taking action against violators.
In a bid to address road dust, which contributes significantly to pollution, authorities have deployed mechanical road-sweeping machines, water sprinklers, and anti-smog guns across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). Currently, around 600 sprinklers and anti-smog guns are in daily operation.
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