Delhi AQI remains ‘very poor’ as thick smog blankets capital again; officials rule out GRAP-III measures

Delhi AQI

New Delhi continued to choke under a thick layer of smog for the fifth consecutive day, as the capital city woke up to a hazy Monday morning with the air quality at some recording stations nearing 'severe' category, according to data by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

As of 7 am, the air quality in Delhi was in the ‘very poor’ category, with the reading at Air Quality Early Warning System (EWS) showing AQI at 372.

Notably, Bawana recorded 412 AQI at 7 am on Monday, the only station in Delhi to record an AQI above the 400 mark, while Wazirpur (397) and Jahangirpuri (394) followed close behind.

Several other areas continued to report ‘very poor’ air quality early Monday, including Burari (389), Mathura Road (366), Pusa (348), Lodhi Road (314), R K Puram (363), Shadipur (328), and Dwarka Sector 8 (355).

On Sunday morning, the AQI stood at 391, nearly entering the ‘severe’ zone that starts from 401. By 11 am, the situation had barely improved, with the AQI still at 389. However, as the afternoon progressed, stronger winds helped disperse some of the pollutants, leading to a minor improvement by evening. The official 24-hour average, measured at 4 pm, showed a slightly better air quality at 370.

Farm fire impact remains low

According to a report by TOI, farm fires in Punjab and Haryana contributed less than 5% to Delhi’s pollution on Sunday, a drop from 8% the previous day. “The wind speed increased to around 14–15 kmph in the afternoon, which helped in dispersing the pollutants,” said Mahesh Palawat, vice president of meteorology at Skymet.

He explained that while winds on Saturday had been northwesterly, on Sunday they turned westerly and southwesterly, reducing the impact of stubble burning.

Despite the slight improvement, the overall air quality remained in the ‘very poor’ category. Delhi residents continued to complain of breathing problems, irritation in the eyes, and sore throats, while several schools advised students to wear masks.

Protests erupt at India Gate

Amid worsening air conditions, hundreds of citizens gathered at India Gate on Sunday to demand urgent government action against air pollution. The protesters held placards, wore masks, and shouted slogans urging authorities to take stronger measures to curb emissions.
Police detained several protesters, citing a Supreme Court order that allows protests only at Jantar Mantar, not at India Gate.

Officials rule out GRAP-III measures

According to the Centre’s Decision Support System (DSS), the share of farm fires in Delhi’s PM2.5 levels stood at 5.3% on Sunday. The DSS noted that the contribution has remained below 10% throughout the season so far, compared to previous years when it often exceeded 40%. The system also forecast that Delhi’s air quality would remain ‘very poor’ over the next few days, but not deteriorate further.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) reviewed the situation and decided not to invoke Stage-III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which would have brought stricter curbs on construction, industry, and vehicle use.

The CAQM said that while the AQI had been high in the morning, it showed a steady decline by evening, improving from 391 at 10 am to 365 by 5 pm. Given this trend and weather forecasts by IMD and IITM, the panel concluded that the next stage of restrictions was not required yet.

Delhi’s Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that the government had stepped up measures such as installing anti-smog sprinklers, enforcing industrial pollution norms, and monitoring hotspots. He also blamed the previous AAP government for “ten years of inaction,” claiming that the current administration was “cleaning up the mess” within just seven months.

Meanwhile, the city experienced a cold morning on Sunday, with a minimum temperature of 11.6°C, three degrees below normal. The maximum temperature touched 28.1°C, a degree above normal. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted shallow fog for Monday, with temperatures expected to remain in a similar range.