New Delhi: Delhi woke up to marginally improved air quality on Tuesday, though pollution levels continued to hover dangerously close to the ‘severe’ bracket. The city’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 397 at 7 am, placing it firmly in the ‘very poor’ category, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). This marked a slight improvement from Monday morning, when the AQI had slipped into the ‘severe’ range at 418.
Despite the overall dip, several neighbourhoods continued to record extremely hazardous air. Monitoring stations at Anand Vihar and Ashok Vihar showed AQI levels of 444, while Wazirpur touched 446. Other areas such as Punjabi Bagh, RK Puram, Bawana, ITO, Chandni Chowk and parts of Dwarka also reported readings well above 400, signalling severe pollution and heightened health concerns for residents.
Poor air quality was compounded by adverse weather conditions. The India Meteorological Department reported dense fog during the early hours, with reduced visibility across parts of the city amid an ongoing cold wave. The temperature hovered around 8.2 degrees Celsius at daybreak, further trapping pollutants close to the ground and worsening breathing conditions.
Authorities have reiterated advisories urging people to minimise outdoor exposure, especially children, the elderly and those with respiratory ailments. The situation has also prompted the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to reimpose Stage-IV restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi and the National Capital Region, aiming to curb emissions through stricter controls.
However, concerns persist over enforcement. Following a review of reports submitted by pollution control bodies, the CAQM flagged serious lapses in the implementation of GRAP measures during the most critical stages. Officials noted wide gaps in compliance, with shortcomings ranging from minor delays to near-total non-adherence in certain mandated actions. As the city prepares for major public events, including Republic Day rehearsals at Kartavya Path, the spotlight remains on whether corrective steps will translate into sustained relief for Delhi’s air.
