Delhi AQI nears ‘severe’ category; Highest pollution level of season, no GRAP restrictions yet?

New Delhi: A thick blanket of haze engulfed the national capital on Sunday morning, with visibility dropping and the familiar smell of burnt residue filling the air. Delhi’s air quality once again plunged into the ‘very poor to severe’ category, with several monitoring stations slipping into the ‘Severe’ zone. According to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi stood at 361, marking the worst air of the season. Wazirpur and Bawana each recorded an alarming 424 AQI, while Vivek Vihar followed closely with 415. Delhi AQI: Region Wise Data Across Delhi-NCR, 24 out of 39 monitoring stations reported AQI levels above 400, signalling a severe pollution crisis. Among the worst-hit regions were Rohini (435), Nehru Nagar (426), Bawana (426), RK Puram (422), and ITO (420). The average AQI hovered around 391 in Delhi, 391 in Noida, 366 in Greater Noida, 387 in Ghaziabad, and 252 in Gurugram. Delhi AQI Today: THESE 4 Areas Cross 400 Mark, IMD Gives Hope For Rain As smog thickened over the city, a citizens’ protest was announced at India Gate, demanding immediate government action and stricter pollution control measures. What’s Fueling Delhi’s Toxic Air? The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) has predicted that Delhi’s air quality will remain ‘Very Poor’ till at least November 11, with no immediate signs of improvement. Its Decision Support System (DSS) estimates that stubble burning will contribute nearly 31% to the city’s PM2.5 concentration on Sunday the highest this season. Vehicle emissions remain the second-largest contributor, responsible for 14.25% of the pollution load, followed by industrial and dust emissions. While the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has been coordinating with the Punjab and Haryana governments, progress has been uneven. Punjab reported 3,284 farm fire incidents between September 15 and November 6 slightly fewer than last year’s 5,041 but some districts like Muktsar and Fazilka saw an increase. Haryana, however, recorded a sharp drop with just 206 incidents this year compared to 888 in 2024. Why GRAP Stage 3 Isn’t Imposed Yet? Despite dangerously high AQI levels, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has so far refrained from implementing Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). This stage mandates strict measures such as a ban on construction work, closure of stone crushers, and restrictions on diesel trucks entering Delhi. A senior DPCC official told PTI that “Delhi’s overall air quality this November has been relatively better than last year’s.” Out of the last seven days, six recorded cleaner air compared to the same period in 2024. Officials attributed this improvement to early anti-smog drives, mechanised road cleaning, and intensified checks on vehicles and industries. “Last year, GRAP Stage 3 was enforced on November 13. This year, we’re holding off in hopes that coordinated action will keep pollution in check,” the official added. DPCC Denies Data Manipulation Rumours In the wake of speculation that air quality readings were being “softened,” the DPCC issued a strong rebuttal, asserting that there was “no manipulation of AQI data.” It clarified that 99% of its 24 monitoring stations are functioning without interruption and all data is published transparently via the CPCB. Delhi AQI hits 700; Capital engulfed in dust and toxic smog The committee added that proactive measures were initiated much earlier this year to delay emergency restrictions. However, experts warn that this could be only a temporary reprieve. The Road Ahead: Temporary Relief or Looming Crisis? For now, Delhi may have dodged Stage 3 restrictions, but the relief is tenuous. Meteorologists predict no significant change in wind speed or direction over the next few days, which means pollution levels are likely to remain high. If the toxic haze continues to thicken, Delhi’s “wait-and-watch” policy could quickly backfire forcing authorities to impose stricter curbs that might disrupt daily life.