Delhi AQI remains ‘severe’ for 3rd straight day; stubble burning emerges top pollutant source

Delhi air pollution

A thick blanket of toxic smog continued to smother Delhi for the third consecutive day on Thursday, with air quality remaining in the “severe” category.

On Thursday morning, Air Quality Early Warning System (EWS) pegged the the Air Quality Index (AQI) at 409, while private monitor AQI.in showed the national capital’s AQI at 644.

Visibility dropped sharply in central parts of the city like Daryaganj, where residents were seen wearing masks and scarves to cope with the choking air.

AQI remains in the ‘severe’ zone

According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Daryaganj touched 455, in the “severe” range.

Other areas reported similar readings, Anand Vihar (431), Alipur (418), Bawana (460), Chandni Chowk (455), RK Puram (444), and Patparganj (423).

Stubble burning tops the list of pollution sources

The Decision Support System (DSS), a forecasting model under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, reported that stubble burning was the biggest contributor to Delhi’s toxic air on Wednesday, accounting for 22.47% of PM2.5 levels, surpassing vehicular emissions (15.5%).

The contribution of stubble burning had been gradually increasing since late October. It rose from about 2-4% between October 26 and November 5 to around 10% on November 6. It then rose to 13.68% on November 10, 15.45% the next day, and finally peaked at 22.47% on Wednesday.

For Thursday, stubble burning is projected to contribute around 10.1% to Delhi’s PM2.5 levels, while transport-related emissions are expected to increase to 19.3%, according to DSS projections.

Stage 3 of GRAP imposed

In response, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has enforced Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the National Capital Region.

The restrictions include a ban on non-essential construction and demolition, and curbs on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Noida.

Schools have also been affected as the Delhi Directorate of Education (DoE) has directed primary classes up to Grade 5 to move to hybrid or online mode until further notice.

In November last year, Delhi witnessed eight “severe" air quality days, with the AQI peaking at 494 on November 18, the second-highest level ever recorded in the Capital. Data reveals that the city registered nine such days in November 2023, three in 2022, eleven in 2021, and between five and ten “severe" days in the preceding years.