Delhi Air Quality Worsens Ahead Of Winter; Government Steps Up Anti-Pollution Drive

Air pollution remained a major concern across Delhi-NCR on Friday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) staying in the ‘poor’ category as temperatures declined ahead of winter. Rising pollution levels have raised concerns about the health risks of prolonged exposure to polluted air.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), several monitoring stations across Delhi recorded elevated AQI levels. Pusa reported the highest reading at 289, followed by Jahangirpuri at 284, RK Puram and Rohini at 281 each, and Sirifort at 274. Narela, Bawana, Punjabi Bagh, Mundka, Dwarka and Mathura Road also recorded poor air quality.

The minimum temperature across Delhi-NCR is expected to hover around 19 degrees Celsius, while the maximum may reach 32 degrees Celsius.

Delhi recorded its first ‘poor’ air quality day of the season on October 21, with an AQI of 245, its highest in around 100 days. The rise coincided with Dussehra celebrations, firecracker use and reports of stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

Authorities have not directly linked these activities to the decline in air quality. They invoked Stage I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which applies to AQI levels of 201–300.

Stage II covers 301–400, Stage III 401–450, and Stage IV levels above 450.

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said implementing GRAP at this stage of the pollution season was unprecedented in recent years. He said the government was pursuing short- and long-term strategies, with public participation and coordination between the Centre and the Delhi government central to its efforts.

Sirsa said the 11-point plan targets dust, vehicular emissions and local pollution sources. Authorities are also using an AI-based traffic system and a control centre to monitor construction pollution and improve traffic flow.

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