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The national capital and its surrounding areas woke up to a thick blanket of smog on Tuesday morning as air quality nosedived into the “very poor” and “hazardous” categories as Delhiites ignored partial restrictions and burst firecrackers to mark Diwali. Combined with falling temperatures, low wind speeds, and already high pollution levels, the result was a sharp spike in particulate matter across the region. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 346 at around 5.30am, placing it in the “very poor” category. However, several localities such as Wazirpur, Ashok Vihar and Anand Vihar breached the “severe” threshold of 400. In the National Capital Region (NCR), Noida and Ghaziabad also reported AQI levels above 410. The spike was anticipated but alarming nonetheless, especially given the toxic mix of Diwali-related emissions and ongoing stubble burning in nearby states. Let’s look at the area-wise list of top 10 most-polluted places in the national capital on Tuesday morning, in descending order: Authorities have implemented Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR. The measures include ban on diesel generator sets (except for essential services), increased frequency of mechanised road sweeping and water sprinkling, strict enforcement against open waste burning and curbs on construction and demolition activities. However, these emergency actions may offer limited short-term relief without broader compliance and sustained efforts. Air quality in the “very poor” to “severe” range poses serious health risks, especially to children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions. Doctors have advised residents to avoid outdoor activity, use N95 masks when stepping out, and keep air purifiers on indoors where possible.
