Dense smog engulfs Delhi as air quality nears severe category; AQI breaches 300 mark
Dense smog and fog have trapped pollutants in the air, sharply reducing visibility and disrupting daily routines as residents grapple with cold weather conditions.
PTC News Desk: Air quality in the national capital continues to be hazardous, posing serious health risks to residents. On Sunday, Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) touched 391, close to the ‘severe’ category, while several locations recorded levels above 400, data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed.
Dense smog and fog have trapped pollutants in the air, sharply reducing visibility and disrupting daily routines as residents grapple with cold weather conditions.
Among the worst-affected areas, Anand Vihar and Shadipur reported AQI levels of 445 each, followed by Nehru Nagar at 433, Patparganj at 425, Mundka at 413, and IGI Airport at 320, reflecting widespread severe pollution across the city.
As per CPCB standards, AQI values of 0–50 are classified as ‘good’, 51–100 ‘satisfactory’, 101–200 ‘moderate’, 201–300 ‘poor’, 301–400 ‘very poor’, and 401–500 ‘severe’. Authorities are closely tracking pollution levels and implementing measures such as the ‘No PUC, No Fuel’ rule to curb emissions.
The Commission for Air Quality Management has enforced Stage IV actions under the Graded Response Action Plan, which include curbs on construction work and industrial operations. Unfavourable weather conditions—marked by low temperatures, still winds and heavy fog—are preventing the dispersal of pollutants, resulting in persistent haze and smog. These conditions are expected to continue, prompting heightened monitoring and demands for tougher pollution-control steps.
On Saturday morning, Delhi’s AQI remained in the ‘very poor’ range, crossing 300 in many localities, but worsened by evening to reach the severe category, nearing 390. Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that restoring the city’s water bodies would significantly aid pollution control, adding that the Chief Minister has instructed authorities to ensure full financial support to complete the initiative within the year.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet has cleared the proposal for Delhi’s first e-waste park at Holambi Kalan. Spread over 11.5 acres, the facility will follow stringent pollution-control norms and function on a fully circular, zero-waste model.