Delhi Air Quality Crisis: Thick Haze Blankets Capital as AQI Remains 'Very Poor' Despite Residents' Protests

The Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital stood at 345 at 8 am.

New Delhi:

A dense haze enveloped Delhi and surrounding regions Monday morning as air quality remained in the 'very poor' category, with numerous areas falling into the 'red zone'. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) website, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital registered at 345 at 8 am, showing a slight improvement from Sunday's reading of 391.

Most of Delhi experienced AQI levels between 300 and 400, indicating extremely poor to severe air conditions. Anand Vihar recorded 379, Delhi Airport area 307, ITO 375, Punjabi Bagh 324, Wazirpur 397, and Rohini 390. Bawana's air quality crossed into the 'severe' category with an AQI of 412. Neighboring regions also suffered, with Faridabad at 312, Ghaziabad at 318, Greater Noida at 325, Gurugram at 328, and Noida at 310, all within the 'very poor' range.

For context, an AQI between 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 satisfactory, 101-200 moderate, 201-300 poor, 301-400 very poor, 401-450 severe, and above 450 severe-plus.

Images showed thick haze at Akshardham, where the AQI reached 479.

#WATCH | Delhi: Visuals from Akshardham area this morning as a layer of toxic smog blankets the city.AQI (Air Quality Index) around the area is 379, categorised as 'Very Poor', as claimed by CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board).

Additional visuals from Barapullah Bridge showed smog surrounding the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium area, where AQI remained 'very poor' at 310.

#WATCH | Visuals from the Barapullah Bridge engulfed in a layer of toxic smog as the AQI around the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium area is in the 'Very Poor' category at 310 as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

In the Lodhi Road area, with an air quality reading of 314, officials implemented water sprinkling to reduce smog levels.

Weather department forecasts indicate overall air quality is expected to remain in the "very poor" category in upcoming days.

No GRAP 3 for now

Despite Delhi's poor air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has opted not to implement stricter restrictions under Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) stage 3 at present, citing slight improvements. The panel reported that Delhi's hourly average AQI was 391 at 10 am Sunday but improved to 370 by 4 pm and further to 365 by 5 pm.

The commission stated it is monitoring the situation closely and will review air quality as needed.

Under GRAP-3, private BS III petrol and BS IV diesel vehicles are prohibited. Non-essential construction work is banned, classes through grade five must shift to hybrid learning, and students and parents may choose online education where available.

Protests over air pollution

Numerous residents, including children, gathered near India Gate on Sunday to protest Delhi's worsening air quality. Demonstrators held signs reading "Smog se Azadi!" and "Breathing is killing me" as Delhi's AQI approached the 'severe' category.

#WATCH | Residents of Delhi protest at India Gate, demanding that the government formulate policies to curb air pollution in the National Capital region.

One young child displayed a placard stating: "I want to stay in Delhi with my friends and go to school! Help us breathe".

"This is a health emergency, not a blame game. Trial-and-error has failed our children. The government must deliver a clean-air policy now," one protester remarked.

Though protests remained peaceful without violence, many demonstrators were detained.

"There was no permission to hold a protest at the India Gate. To maintain law and order and ensure there is no obstruction in security arrangements, some people were detained," a police officer explained.