Delhi continued to grapple with deteriorating air quality on Tuesday as the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) surged past the 400-mark, entering the ‘severe’ category for the first time this season. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the overall AQI stood at 421 at 7 am, with some areas recording dangerously high pollution levels.

Among the worst-affected areas was Bawana, which recorded an alarming AQI of 462, followed closely by RK Puram (446), Patparganj (438), Alipur (442), Chandni Chowk (416), Sonia Vihar (433), and Anand Vihar (421). These figures indicate that the toxic haze enveloping the city has reached unprecedented levels, posing serious health risks for residents, particularly children, the elderly, and those with respiratory or heart conditions.

Tuesday’s AQI readings were slightly higher than Monday’s, when the overall index stood at 345, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category. Experts attribute this sharp rise to a combination of residual pollution from Diwali firecrackers, stubble burning in neighboring states, low wind speeds, and stable atmospheric conditions, which have prevented pollutants from dispersing.

AQI Classification and Health Impact

The CPCB classifies air quality based on AQI values as follows:

• 0–50: Good
• 51–100: Satisfactory
• 101–200: Moderate
• 201–300: Poor
• 301–400: Very Poor
• 401–500: Severe

With Delhi now in the severe category, prolonged exposure can affect healthy individuals and exacerbate conditions in those with pre-existing respiratory or cardiovascular diseases.

Stage III GRAP Restrictions Imposed

In response to the worsening air quality, authorities implemented Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR. This stage is triggered when the AQI crosses 400 or is projected to do so. The restrictions aim to curb emissions and limit public exposure to toxic pollutants. Key measures include:

Vehicle Restrictions

• BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers are prohibited across Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddh Nagar.
• Persons with disabilities are exempted.
• Non-essential diesel-run BS-IV medium goods vehicles and BS-IV or lower diesel light commercial vehiclesregistered outside Delhi are also restricted, except for those transporting essential goods or providing essential services.

Construction and Industrial Restrictions

• All non-essential construction and demolition activities are banned.
• Stone crushers, mining activities, and other polluting industrial operations are suspended.
• Public projects considered essential—such as railways, metro construction, airports, defence, sanitation, and healthcare—are allowed to continue, provided strict dust and waste management protocols are followed.

Schools and Workplaces

• Classes up to Class 5 are required to shift to hybrid or online learning. Parents can choose fully online education wherever possible.
• Private companies are encouraged to adopt work-from-home or hybrid arrangements to reduce vehicular emissions during peak pollution periods.

Technology Glitch Raises Concerns

The pollution crisis was exacerbated by an unexplained breakdown of the government’s pollution monitoring app and website on Monday, when toxic haze had already thickened across the city. For nearly 10 hours, between noon and 10 pm, residents could not access real-time AQI updates, leaving them unaware of the sharp rise in pollution. Updates were only restored late at night, by which time the AQI had crossed into the severe category.

Experts warned that reliance on technological tools alone is insufficient, and public awareness of visual cues such as thick haze and reduced visibility is crucial. On Monday morning, visibility dropped to 1,000 meters in some parts of the city before slightly improving to 1,500–2,000 meters in the evening, highlighting the severity of airborne particulate matter.

Public Health Advisory

Authorities have urged residents to:

• Limit outdoor activities, especially strenuous exercise or play for children.
• Wear N95 masks if venturing outside.
• Monitor air quality updates from official sources once the system is functional.

The GRAP-III measures, along with heightened public awareness, aim to mitigate health risks during the peak pollution period and prevent further deterioration of air quality.

Looking Ahead

Delhi’s air pollution crisis is seasonal but increasingly severe, with multiple contributing factors including vehicular emissions, construction dust, industrial activities, crop burning in neighboring states, and weather patterns that trap pollutants. Experts emphasize the need for long-term solutions, including:

• Accelerating the phasing out of older vehicles.
• Strengthening emission control in industries and construction sites.
• Coordinated efforts with neighboring states to reduce stubble burning.
• Raising public awareness of protective measures during severe pollution days.

As the city continues to struggle with hazardous air quality, the Stage III GRAP curbs provide a crucial framework to protect public health, reduce emissions, and manage the immediate crisis.

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Area-wise AQI Snapshot (Tuesday, 7 am)

Monitoring Station	AQI
Bawana	462
RK Puram	446
Patparganj	438
Alipur	442
Chandni Chowk	416
Sonia Vihar	433
Anand Vihar	421