Delhi-NCR’s air quality worsened sharply on Tuesday, with the Air Quality Index crossing 450 in Jahangirpuri and several other monitoring areas entering the severe category, prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management to enforce Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan.
Central Pollution Control Board readings displayed at 8:30 am showed Jahangirpuri recording an AQI of 451, followed by Rohini at 431, Punjabi Bagh at 424, Alipur at 415, Vivek Vihar at 411, Bawana and the Delhi Technological University area at 409 each, and Narela at 408.
More than 20 other areas recorded AQI levels between 300 and 400, placing them in the very poor category. Delhi’s average AQI was 324 on Monday, compared with 261 on November 1 and 117 on October 31, indicating a rapid deterioration over three days.
The CAQM said the worsening conditions were linked to unfavourable weather and applied GRAP Stage II measures across Delhi-NCR on Monday. Measures under Stage I will continue alongside the additional restrictions. The AQI classification used by the CPCB places readings between 401 and 500 in the severe category, while readings between 301 and 400 are classified as very poor.
Under the restrictions, residents have been urged to use buses and the Metro instead of private vehicles. The Commission has also encouraged employers to consider work-from-home arrangements. In response to the deterioration, the Delhi Metro announced 20 additional train trips on Monday.
Authorities will increase mechanical sweeping and water sprinkling on major roads, while dust-control measures will be intensified at pollution hotspots and construction sites. Resident welfare associations have been asked to focus on local cleanliness, and residents have been advised against burning wood or waste in the open.
The pollution episode is also affecting the Yamuna. Toxic foam was reported floating again near Kalindi Kunj, where preparations have begun ahead of the Chhath festival. The report said chemicals were being sprayed in the river to control the foam.
The new restrictions place transport operations, road maintenance, construction-site compliance and neighbourhood-level waste management at the centre of Delhi’s immediate pollution response. They also come as the region approaches Diwali, when authorities typically face additional pressure from emissions and stagnant weather conditions.
The CAQM’s decision was based on air-quality and meteorological assessments, and pollution levels are expected to remain in the very poor category over the coming days, according to the report. The Stage II measures will remain in force as agencies implement additional dust-control, public-transport and road-cleaning actions.
