Capital's Air Quality Plunges to 'Very Poor' on Festival Day
Residents of Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) woke up to a thick, suffocating blanket of smog on Diwali morning, as the city's air quality deteriorated sharply into the "very poor" category. The festival of lights has been overshadowed by a significant public health concern, with a toxic mix of pollutants making it difficult to breathe. The combination of early festival-related activities, stubble burning from neighboring states, and vehicular emissions has created a hazardous environment, prompting authorities to enforce emergency response measures.
The Sobering Statistics of a Polluted Morning
Early morning data painted a grim picture of the city's air. At 7 am on Monday, the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was recorded at 354, a level firmly in the "very poor" range. This reading is a significant jump from the previous day and confirms a rapidly worsening trend. An AQI between 301 and 400 can cause respiratory illness on prolonged exposure, posing a serious risk to the city's population, especially vulnerable groups like children and the elderly.
The situation was even more dire in several localities, which registered "hazardous" air quality. Ashok Vihar Phase 2 reported a staggering AQI of 714, while areas like the Diplomatic Enclave, Dwarka Sector 5, and Alaknanda all recorded readings well above 400. According to one private monitor, breathing Delhi's air today is as harmful as smoking more than eight cigarettes.
Cocktail of Pollutants Fuels the Crisis
The current crisis is fueled by a perfect storm of pollution sources. The bursting of firecrackers on Diwali eve, a practice that continues despite restrictions, is a major contributor. This is compounded by the ongoing issue of stubble burning in the agricultural regions surrounding the capital and the persistent problem of high vehicular emissions from heavy traffic.
The concentration of PM2.5—fine particulate matter that can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream—was measured at 245 µg/m³ on Monday morning. This is more than 16 times the safe limit recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), which has linked long-term exposure to PM2.5 to severe cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The high humidity levels have further trapped these pollutants close to the ground, exacerbating the smog.
Authorities Implement Emergency Measures
In response to the deteriorating conditions, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has ordered the immediate implementation of Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). This set of emergency measures is triggered when the air quality is projected to enter the "very poor" category. Under these restrictions, civic agencies are instructed to increase parking fees to discourage the use of private vehicles and promote public transport. The use of portable diesel generators is also banned, with exceptions for essential services like hospitals and airports. These steps are designed to curb further emissions and prevent the air quality from sliding into the "severe" category.
