Delhi welcomed Diwali enveloped in a dense layer of polluted air, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) worsening to ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ levels across numerous monitoring stations, despite the implementation of Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). On Monday morning, AQI readings surpassed 300 in most regions, while Anand Vihar and Wazirpur recorded figures exceeding 400, categorizing them as ‘severe’, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data. From 38 monitoring stations in Delhi, 24 registered ‘very poor’ pollution levels on the eve of Diwali, indicating a decline in air quality attributed to firecrackers, vehicle emissions, and pollution from nearby NCR cities.
At 6 a.m., Anand Vihar recorded the highest AQI at 414, whereas Sri Aurobindo Marg had the cleanest air with an AQI of 158. Of the stations, two fell into the ‘severe’ category, 27 were ‘very poor’, and only two were rated as ‘moderate’ or better. In response to the significant increase in pollution levels, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) activated GRAP Stage 2 measures on Sunday evening. These measures included stricter regulations on diesel generators, elevated parking fees to deter private vehicle use, and restrictions on specific interstate buses. Concurrently, the Supreme Court’s conditional approval for green firecrackers during Diwali—permitted from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.
to 10 p.m.—had a minimal effect on the declining air quality in the capital. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that on Sunday, Delhi’s temperature reached a high of 33.3°C and a low of 20.6°C, both above the seasonal average, with mist anticipated to linger into Monday morning. Delhi continues to confront post-Diwali smog as both authorities and residents prepare for additional pollution increases in the upcoming days.