Delhi Chokes Under Thick Smog as AQI Stays ‘Very Poor’; CAQM Holds Back Stage 3 Curbs Amid Marginal Improvement

Delhi: A thick blanket of smog engulfed the national capital on Monday morning, with Delhi’s air quality remaining in the ‘very poor’ category for the second consecutive day. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 345 at 7 am, indicating hazardous pollution levels across several parts of the city.

As pollution worsened, citizens took to the streets to demand urgent action. Scores of parents, environmental activists, and children staged a protest at India Gate on Sunday, calling for the government to ensure clean and breathable air. Many of them held placards highlighting the health crisis triggered by toxic air and the increasing respiratory issues among children.

Pollution levels across key monitoring stations painted a grim picture, with Anand Vihar recording an AQI of 379, ITO at 376, Rohini at 390, and Wazirpur topping the charts at 397. Other areas such as Chandni Chowk (360), RK Puram (363), and Jahangirpuri (389) also recorded alarming readings. In Noida, Sector 62 registered an AQI of 342, while Gurugram’s Sector 51 stood at 327. Faridabad fared relatively better with readings between 230 and 238.

According to the CPCB, an AQI between 301 and 400 is classified as ‘very poor’, while 401 and above falls under the ‘severe’ category, posing serious health risks to residents, especially children and the elderly. Despite the rising pollution levels, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has decided not to invoke Stage 3 restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) yet. The CAQM sub-committee reviewed the situation on Sunday evening and noted a slight improvement in air quality, with Delhi’s hourly AQI dropping from 391 in the morning to 365 by evening.

Forecasts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) suggest that the air quality will remain ‘very poor’ in the coming days but is unlikely to slip into the ‘severe’ range immediately. Considering this, authorities have chosen to continue with existing Stage 1 and Stage 2 restrictions. Under Stage 3 of GRAP, non-essential construction work is banned, classes up to grade V are moved online, and the use of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel cars is restricted.