Delhi: New Delhi woke up to a thick blanket of smog on Sunday as air pollution levels soared to alarming highs, pushing the national capital’s Air Quality Index (AQI) into the ‘Severe’ category. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the AQI near AIIMS and RK Puram reached 421, a level considered hazardous to health, marking one of the season’s worst days yet.
Within just 24 hours, Delhi’s air quality witnessed a drastic decline — from a citywide average AQI of 245 (‘Poor’) on Saturday to several areas now gasping under ‘Severe’ conditions. Data recorded at 8 a.m. painted a grim picture across the capital: Chandni Chowk (414), Punjabi Bagh (403), Rohini (415), Dwarka Sector-8 (407), and Ashok Vihar (404) all breached the danger mark, while Lodhi Road and Mandir Marg reported AQI readings above 360, still in the ‘Very Poor’ category.
Health experts have warned residents, especially children and the elderly, to avoid outdoor activities and use N95 masks when stepping out. Hospitals across the city reported a spike in respiratory complaints and eye irritation cases, with doctors calling the current situation “public health emergency-like.”
In response, civic authorities have intensified anti-pollution drives — deploying truck-mounted water sprinklers, mechanical sweepers, and anti-smog guns at key junctions to control dust. However, experts argue these are short-term fixes and not a substitute for stricter emissions control.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has meanwhile banned the entry of all BS-III and older diesel commercial vehicles into Delhi from November 1, in an attempt to reduce vehicular pollution. Enforcement teams have been stationed at major borders, turning away trucks that don’t meet the new norms. “BS-III vehicles are being sent back. This order applies only to goods carriers, not passenger vehicles,” said Dharmveer Kaushik, Sub-Inspector, Delhi Transport Enforcement Team, while speaking to ANI.
Adding to the restrictions, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has doubled parking fees across its zones under Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), hoping to discourage private vehicle use.
