Air quality across Delhi-NCR deteriorated sharply after Diwali celebrations, with firecracker smoke adding to pollution levels in several areas. Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 372 at 1 am, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.
Several monitoring stations across the capital recorded AQI levels above 400, placing them in the ‘severe’ category. The impact was also visible in parts of Noida and Ghaziabad, where multiple locations reported poor to severe air quality.
Delhi AQI After Diwali: Several Areas Cross 400
CPCB readings at 1 am showed particularly high pollution levels in several parts of Delhi. Jahangirpuri recorded an AQI of 447, while North Campus registered 445.
Other areas with AQI readings above 400 included:
– Bawana: 434
– Chandni Chowk: 430
– DTU: 430
– Patparganj: 421
– Punjabi Bagh: 416
– Alipur: 413
– ITO: 407
– Mundka: 405
Other monitoring stations also reported elevated pollution levels. Dwarka Sector 8 recorded 393, Narela 392, Lodhi Road 362, Okhla Phase 2 364, Badarpur 354, Anand Vihar 352, Aya Nagar 352 and Ashok Vihar 340.
The AQI at IGI Airport Terminal 3 stood at 323.
Noida AQI After Diwali: Sector 62 Records 445
Noida also witnessed high pollution levels after the festive celebrations. According to CPCB readings at 1 am, Sector 62 recorded the highest AQI among the listed Noida locations at 445.
The readings at other monitoring stations were:
– Sector 110: 321
– Sector 116: 292
– Sector 125: 296
– Sector 150: 315
– Sector 1: 301
– Sector 39: 301
The figures indicate that pollution levels varied considerably across different parts of the city.
Ghaziabad AQI: Loni Records 390
Air quality remained poor across several parts of Ghaziabad as well.
Loni recorded an AQI of 390, followed by Wave City at 378 and Govindpuram at 342. Indirapuram registered 317, while Vasundhara recorded 300.
Sanjay Nagar reported a comparatively lower AQI of 287, according to the CPCB data.
Gurugram AQI At 3 AM: Teri Gram Records 372
CPCB readings from 3 am showed varying pollution levels across Gurugram.
Teri Gram recorded an AQI of 372, while Vikas Sadan registered 344 and Sector 51 reported 263.
The NISE Gwal Pahari monitoring station recorded an AQI of 232.
The readings indicate that the post-Diwali pollution spike affected several parts of the National Capital Region, although air quality varied between monitoring stations.
What Do AQI Levels Above 400 Mean?
Under India’s AQI classification, readings between 301 and 400 fall in the ‘very poor’ category, while levels between 401 and 500 are classified as ‘severe’.
An AQI of 372 in Delhi therefore falls in the very poor category, while locations such as Jahangirpuri, North Campus and Noida’s Sector 62 recorded severe air quality.
High pollution levels can aggravate respiratory problems, particularly among children, older people and individuals with existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.
