Delhi-NCR Wakes Up To Choking Air On Diwali Morning; AQI Slips To ‘Very Poor’

Residents across Delhi-NCR woke up to choking air on Monday morning, as the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) slipped into the ‘very poor’ category following widespread firecracker bursting on Diwali night.

According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi recorded an AQI of 335 at 8 AM, a sharp deterioration from previous days.

The heavy use of firecrackers led to both severe noise pollution and dense smoke blanketing the region.

Forecasts from the CPCB suggested little respite ahead, warning that the air quality could further decline into the ‘severe’ range by Tuesday and Wednesday, as reported by NDTV.

Experts attributed the worsening conditions to a combination of stagnant winds, temperature drops, and continued emissions, compounded by limited permissions granted by the Supreme Court to use green crackers within restricted hours.

Amid the deteriorating air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) swiftly implemented Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to contain the situation.

By Sunday evening, Delhi’s daily average AQI had climbed from 296 (‘Poor’) to 302 (‘Very Poor’), prompting an emergency meeting of CAQM’s GRAP Sub-Committee.

The panel reviewed inputs from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), both forecasting sustained pollution levels above 300 in the coming days.

12-Point Action Plan in Force

In response, the 12-point action plan under Stage II remains in effect to supplement Stage I measures.

Agencies, including the Pollution Control Boards of NCR states and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), directed to enforce strict compliance.

Key measures include daily mechanical sweeping and water sprinkling on major roads, intensified dust suppression at construction and traffic hotspots, and stringent checks on construction sites to ensure dust control.

Diesel generator (DG) use remains restricted to essential services such as hospitals, airports, Metro operations, sewage treatment, and security-related projects to curb emissions.

Traffic police will strengthen management by deploying officers at choke points, while media outlets will issue regular air quality advisories.

The plan also proposes higher parking fees to discourage private vehicles and expanded public transport services, including additional CNG and electric buses as well as off-peak Metro incentives.

Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) have been advised to provide electric heaters to staff to prevent open biomass burning, and entry into Delhi is restricted to electric, CNG, or BS-VI diesel buses.

CAQM has appealed to citizens to avoid construction dust, refrain from burning waste, and use public transport to reduce emissions.

With pollution levels expected to remain high through the week, authorities said they will continue monitoring the situation closely.

The complete GRAP guidelines are available on the CAQM website, as Delhi braces for another season of winter smog driven by stubble burning and vehicular emissions.

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