Delhi-NCR witnessed another alarming spike in pollution on Sunday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) entering the ‘severe’ category across multiple locations. At 7 am, Delhi’s overall AQI stood at 430, reflecting critically poor air quality as winter smog intensifies.
Several areas reported even more hazardous conditions. Wazirpur recorded an AQI above 450, while Bawana measured 435, placing both zones among the most polluted in the capital.
At 7:15 am, the AQI in Jahangirpuri reached 438, firmly in the severe zone. Anand Vihar (427) and Ashok Vihar (421) also reported highly toxic air, highlighting widespread air quality deterioration across the city.
The adjoining NCR cities fared only slightly better. Noida logged an AQI of 390, bordering the severe category, while Greater Noida registered 380, placing it in the ‘very poor’ range. Ghaziabad, meanwhile, recorded 426, maintaining severe air quality levels.
The persistent smog reflects high concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10, decreasing visibility and posing significant health risks to people of all age groups, particularly individuals with respiratory or cardiac concerns.
Government Response Under GRAP Stage 3
With pollutant levels remaining dangerously high, authorities continue to enforce Stage 3 restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has recommended that private offices operate with 50% staff on-site, while the remaining workforce shifts to remote operations to reduce traffic emissions.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa stated that the government is monitoring the situation continuously and has implemented staggered office timings for MCD and GNCTD departments to ease peak-hour congestion.
In light of the hazardous conditions, schools and educational institutions have been instructed to suspend all outdoor activities, including sports, to safeguard students’ health.
