DelhiNCR wakes up to toxic smog: AQI hits ‘very poor’ to ‘severe’ levels; flights impacted due to low visibility

NEW DELHI: Thick smog blanketed the Delhi-NCR on Saturday morning, with AQI being 380 in the very poor category as recorded at 7am by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), while large stretches of the region recorded severe levels. Visibility remained severely impacted, affecting the residents commute and overall health.

Several parts of Delhi continued to witness severe air pollution levels, with multiple monitoring stations recording AQI levels well above 400.

According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Sarai Kale Khan and Anand Vihar both recorded an AQI of 428, while the ITO area touched 429. Akshardham reported an AQI of 420, Ashok Vihar 407, and Rao Tularam Marg 403. The Barapullah flyover area registered an AQI of 380, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category.

In response to the concerning situation of deteriorating air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) enforced Stage-IV measures of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR.

The restrictions include a ban on non-essential construction activities, curbs on the entry of certain diesel vehicles, and stricter enforcement to rein in pollution sources.

Earlier in the day, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa carried out surprise inspections at petrol pumps, including those at the Delhi-Gurugram border and Janpath, to assess compliance with the ‘No PUC, No Fuel’ directive.

As per official categorisation, an AQI between 401 and 500 is considered ‘severe’, while readings above 300 indicate conditions that pose serious health risks.

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