Delhi-NCR Chokes Under Severe Smog As AQI Surpasses 400 In Multiple Areas

Residents of Delhi-NCR faced another day under a thick blanket of smog on Saturday as the Air Quality Index (AQI) remained in the ‘severe’ category.

The Early Warning System (EWS) recorded the city’s AQI at 386, while private monitoring site AQI.in reported a higher figure of 470, equating to the health impact of smoking 12 cigarettes daily.

The dense haze shrouded the skyline, reducing visibility across major roads and residential areas.

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) readings indicated extremely high pollution levels in multiple localities: Ashok Vihar (415), Chandni Chowk (419), Bawana (441), Jahangirpuri (422), Siri Fort (495), and Wazirpur (447), among others. The variation in readings between monitoring stations reflects differing local conditions and the parameters measured.

Stage III GRAP measures in force

In response to the persistent pollution, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has continued Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the region.

The measures restrict activities from construction sites, brick kilns, and stone crushers, as well as other operations that contribute significantly to air pollution.

The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice BR Gavai, has directed the governments of Punjab and Haryana to submit updates on measures taken to curb stubble burning, a major contributor to Delhi’s air quality crisis.

The bench noted that pollution levels remain dangerously high despite GRAP enforcement, urging stricter monitoring and coordinated action.

Environmentalists have warned that without urgent intervention, the city could experience prolonged periods of hazardous air, posing serious health risks to residents, particularly children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions.

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