Delhi AQI: New Delhi woke up to a thick blanket of toxic smog on Saturday, as air quality across Delhi-NCR plunged into the ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ categories.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the overall Air Quality Index stood at 380 at 7 am, while several areas recorded even worse levels. Low visibility added to the trouble, affecting commutes and raising serious health concerns for residents.
Large parts of the capital continued to reel under extreme pollution, with many monitoring stations reporting AQI levels above 400. CPCB data showed Sarai Kale Khan and Anand Vihar recording an AQI of 428 each, while the ITO area touched 429.
Akshardham reported an AQI of 420, Ashok Vihar 407, and Rao Tularam Marg 403. The Barapullah flyover area recorded an AQI of 380, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category.
With air quality worsening rapidly, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) implemented Stage-IV measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the Delhi-NCR region.
These stricter steps include a ban on non-essential construction activities, restrictions on the entry of certain diesel vehicles, and tighter enforcement to control pollution sources.
Earlier in the day, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa conducted surprise inspections at petrol pumps, including locations at the Delhi-Gurugram border and Janpath. The inspections were aimed at checking compliance with the ‘No PUC, No Fuel’ rule.
As per official classification, an AQI between 401 and 500 falls under the ‘severe’ category, while readings above 300 indicate conditions that pose serious health risks. With pollution levels remaining dangerously high, authorities have urged people to limit outdoor exposure and follow advisories closely.
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