New Delhi: New Delhi woke up to another smog-filled morning on Saturday, with pollution levels showing no signs of easing. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the city’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) was measured at 364 around 5 am, placing it firmly in the “very poor” category. This marked a slight deterioration from Friday, when the AQI was recorded at 356.
Monitoring data indicated that air quality across the capital fluctuated between “very poor” and “severe,” with multiple neighbourhoods emerging as pollution hotspots. Eastern Delhi remained among the worst affected, as Anand Vihar registered an alarming AQI of 437, falling in the “severe” range. Nearby Patparganj also witnessed hazardous conditions with an AQI of 429, while Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi touched 426.
Other areas reporting critically high pollution levels included Nehru Nagar at 421 and Vivek Vihar at 418, underscoring the widespread nature of the problem. Several residential and commercial zones continued to hover close to the severe threshold. Jahangirpuri recorded an AQI of 416, Dwarka Sector-8 stood at 401, and ITO was measured at 402. Industrial pockets such as Wazirpur and Mundka reported AQI readings of 396 and 393 respectively, while Sonia Vihar neared the danger mark at 399.
A handful of locations fared marginally better, remaining in the “poor” category. CRRI Mathura Road logged an AQI of 278, IGI Airport’s Terminal 3 recorded 298, and Najafgarh stood at 301, just shy of slipping into the very poor bracket.
As per CPCB guidelines, AQI values above 300 are considered harmful, with readings beyond 400 classified as “severe,” posing serious health risks, particularly for children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions.
In response to the worsening situation, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has rolled out Stage III measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the entire Delhi-NCR. The decision came after pollution levels surged sharply, with the city’s AQI breaching the 350 mark.
Officials said the move aims to prevent further deterioration and includes a comprehensive nine-point action plan. These measures, which build upon restrictions already in force under Stages I and II, will be overseen by pollution control authorities across the region, including the Delhi Pollution Control Committee.
Despite these steps, experts warn that sustained improvements will depend on weather conditions and strict enforcement, as residents continue to grapple with hazardous air.
