Delhi's Air Quality Falls to 'Severe' on Diwali Morning as Monitoring Stations Top 400

Air quality in India's capital New Delhi deteriorated sharply on the morning of Diwali (November 8), with several monitoring stations recording an air quality index (AQI) above 400, in the 'severe' category. Asian News International (ANI) reported, citing Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, that the city's overall AQI reached 483 at 8:10 a.m.; other outlets recorded a citywide reading of about 384 earlier in the morning, indicating pollution kept worsening through the morning. Authorities had invoked Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on Friday.

Several stations above 400; Saturday already the worst Diwali eve in a decade

CPCB data showed Punjabi Bagh at 449, RK Puram at 448, IIT Delhi at 445, Bawana at 446, Rohini at 445, Chandni Chowk at 420, Patparganj at 421 and Alipur at 413 — all in the 'severe' category. Delhi's overall AQI was 364 at 8 a.m. on Saturday, in the 'very poor' category, and the 24-hour average of 369 made it the most polluted Diwali eve in a decade. The Delhi government's Decision Support System estimated transport accounted for about 21.4 percent of the pollution load on Saturday, with stubble burning, firecrackers, weak winds and construction dust adding to the problem.

Stage III emergency measures in force; only green firecrackers allowed

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Stage III of GRAP on Friday, two days ahead of Diwali, across Delhi and adjoining districts of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Stage III brings stricter vehicle restrictions, a halt to construction activity and hybrid learning for primary school pupils. The Supreme Court has permitted only certified green firecrackers on November 7 and 8, between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. and between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., with the broader ban returning on November 9. Experts warned Monday could be the most polluted day immediately after Diwali in years, as firecracker smoke combines with stubble-burning haze.

(Sources: ANI; Central Pollution Control Board; The Daily Jagran; Commission for Air Quality Management.)