A thick layer of haze covered several parts of Delhi on Sunday morning as winter began to set in. Screengrab: ANI
Delhi AQI hits 483 on Diwali as several areas record severe pollution
Several parts of the capital, including Punjabi Bagh, RK Puram and Bawana, recorded AQI readings above 400 on Sunday
Delhi woke up to severe air pollution on Sunday, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 483 at 8:10 am. Several parts of the capital recorded readings above 400, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.
The deterioration came two days after the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR on Friday. The move followed concerns over rising pollution ahead of Diwali.
Several areas record AQI above 400
CPCB figures showed Punjabi Bagh recording an AQI of 449, followed by RK Puram at 448 and Bawana at 446. IIT Delhi and Rohini both recorded 445. Chandni Chowk registered 420, Patparganj 421 and Alipur 413. All these locations fell in the 'severe' category.
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Other parts of the city remained in the 'very poor' category. Narela recorded an AQI of 395, while Anand Vihar stood at 328. The reading near India Gate was 398. Around Akshardham Temple, the AQI stood at 336, according to CPCB data.
AQI rises from Saturday's reading
A thick layer of haze covered several parts of Delhi on Sunday morning as winter began to set in. Poor visibility added to residents' concerns over the worsening air.
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Delhi's overall AQI had stood at 364 at 8 am on Saturday, placing it in the 'very poor' category. Sunday's reading of 483 marked a sharp deterioration.
Under CPCB's classification, an AQI of 0-50 is 'good', 51-100 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300 'poor', 301-400 'very poor' and 401-500 'severe'.
Stage III curbs remain in force
The CAQM's Stage III decision covers Delhi and adjoining districts in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Existing restrictions will continue alongside additional pollution-control measures and stricter enforcement.
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GRAP is a four-stage emergency plan operated by CAQM with the CPCB and state governments. Authorities invoke its stages based on pollution and weather forecasts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM). This allows restrictions to begin before the city's overall AQI enters the 'severe' category.