Delhi AQI hits 'hazardous' 451 ahead of Diwali; GRAP-II curbs imposed across NCR

Delhi's air quality continued to deteriorate ahead of Diwali, with the national capital's overall Air Quality Index (AQI) touching 451 at 8 am on Tuesday, placing it in the "hazardous" category and highlighting the worsening pollution situation across the city.

Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed that several monitoring stations reported AQI levels in the severe category, while a number of other locations recorded very poor air quality.

Among the worst-affected areas, Rohini recorded an AQI of 429, followed by Punjabi Bagh at 424 and Bawana at 408, with all three locations falling in the severe category.

Several other parts of the city continued to breathe very poor air. Patparganj recorded an AQI of 379, followed by R K Puram at 374, ITO at 373, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at 355, Okhla Phase-2 and Chandni Chowk at 352 each, while Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) recorded 328.

Meanwhile, relatively lower pollution levels were reported at a few monitoring stations, although air quality remained in the poor category. Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport's Terminal 3 recorded an AQI of 287, followed by Anand Vihar at 279, Uttam Nagar at 274 and IMD Lodhi Road at 226.

Amid the worsening air quality, Delhi Police conducted a checking drive at the Ghazipur border as restrictions on vehicle entry came into force under Stage-II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Stage-II of GRAP across the entire National Capital Region (NCR) on Monday in view of the rising pollution levels.

The restrictions came into immediate effect, adding to the measures already in place under Stage-I.

Under the enhanced curbs, municipal corporations, traffic police and pollution control boards across Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan have been directed to step up enforcement measures.

As part of the action plan, daily mechanical or vacuum sweeping will be undertaken, along with water sprinkling mixed with dust suppressants, on heavy-traffic corridors and congestion points.

Authorities have been asked to prioritise these activities before peak traffic hours.

In addition, inspections and remedial measures will be intensified at identified pollution hotspots and Construction and Demolition (C&D) sites across the NCR.