New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Delhi’s air quality reached alarming levels on Sunday, plunging deep into the ‘Severe’ category with the Air Quality Index (AQI) climbing to 421 in several parts of the city, including the area around AIIMS, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Within a single day, pollution levels escalated sharply — Saturday’s citywide average AQI of 245 (‘Poor’) has now given way to dangerously high readings across most monitoring stations. The dense smog has drastically reduced visibility and left residents struggling with eye irritation and breathing difficulties.
CPCB’s early morning bulletin showed several stations reporting severe levels of pollution: Chandni Chowk (414), Ashok Vihar (404), Dwarka Sector-8 (407), Rohini (415), Punjabi Bagh (403), and RK Puram (421). Even relatively less affected areas such as Lodhi Road and Mandir Marg recorded ‘Very Poor’ readings of 364 and 367 respectively.
Environmental agencies and civic bodies have ramped up emergency measures. Tanker-mounted sprinklers and anti-smog guns have been deployed on busy corridors to settle dust particles. Construction dust and vehicular emissions continue to be the primary contributors to the worsening smog, officials say.
To curb vehicular pollution, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has enforced a ban on the entry of all non-Delhi registered BS-III and older commercial goods vehicles starting November 1. “We’re ensuring that no outdated diesel trucks enter Delhi. Such vehicles are being stopped at border checkpoints and sent back,” said Dharmveer Kaushik, a Sub Inspector from the Delhi Transport Enforcement Team.
The city remains under Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which includes steps like enhancing public transport and limiting private vehicle use. In line with these measures, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has announced that parking charges across its areas will now be doubled to discourage car usage.
Experts warn that stagnant air and low wind speeds are worsening the buildup of pollutants, trapping toxic particles closer to the ground. Meteorologists predict little relief in the coming days unless weather conditions change significantly.
Public health specialists have urged citizens, especially children and the elderly, to avoid prolonged outdoor exposure and to use air purifiers at home. “Delhi’s air quality has entered a critical zone where even healthy individuals are at risk of respiratory issues,” said an official from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee.
As the capital braces for another spell of suffocating smog, the city’s skyline remains masked by a thick, grey haze — a grim reminder of Delhi’s recurring pollution emergency.
