Delhi Chokes as AQI Hits 451: 'Severe' Air Quality Grips Capital Ahead of Diwali
Delhi's air quality plunges to a hazardous AQI of 451. GRAP-II restrictions implemented as the city faces severe pollution ahead of Diwali.
The national capital is struggling to breathe as Delhi AQI severe levels have returned with a vengeance just before the Diwali festivities. On Tuesday morning, the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) for New Delhi skyrocketed to 451 by 8 am, pushing the city into the "hazardous" category and sparking urgent health concerns for millions of residents.
Hotspots of Pollution: Which Areas are Worst Hit?
Data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reveals a grim picture of the city's atmosphere. While several parts of the city are struggling, some neighborhoods have crossed the threshold into the "severe" category.
- Rohini: Recorded a staggering AQI of 429.
- Punjabi Bagh: Followed closely with an AQI of 424.
- Bawana: Registered a level of 408.
Beyond these severe zones, a large portion of the city remains in the "very poor" category. High pollution levels were noted at Patparganj (379), R K Puram (374), ITO (373), Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (355), Okhla Phase-2 (352), and Chandni Chowk (352). Even the academic hub of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) saw an AQI of 328.
Pockets of Relative Relief
A few areas managed to stay within the "poor" category, offering a slight, though insignificant, reprieve. Terminal 3 of the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport recorded an AQI of 287, while Anand Vihar stood at 279, Uttam Nagar at 274, and IMD Lodhi Road at 226.
GRAP-II Triggered: Strict Restrictions in Place
In response to the rapidly deteriorating air, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has officially invoked Stage-II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the entire National Capital Region (NCR), effective immediately.
This escalation means that Stage-II restrictions are now active alongside the existing Stage-I measures. Authorities in Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan have been ordered to implement stringent enforcement protocols to curb the smog.
Key Measures to Combat the Smog:
- Road Cleaning: Heavy-traffic corridors and congestion points will undergo daily mechanical or vacuum sweeping.
- Dust Suppression: Water sprinkling mixed with dust suppressants will be deployed, particularly during pre-peak traffic hours.
- Strict Monitoring: Heightened inspections are being carried out at known pollution hotspots and Construction & Demolition (C&D) sites across the NCR.
Police Crackdown at Borders
The impact of these restrictions is already being felt on the ground. The Delhi Police have launched intensive checking drives at key entry points, including the Ghazipur border, to enforce vehicle entry restrictions mandated under the GRAP-II guidelines.