Delhi Chokes Under Thick Smog as AQI Hits 332, Jahangirpuri Records Severe 452

Delhi's air quality deteriorated further on Tuesday, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 332 in the 'very poor' category as thick smog engulfed the national capital. Jahangirpuri emerged as the worst-affected area, recording an AQI of 452, placing it in the 'severe' category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The city's AQI stood at 324 on Monday, marking the first 'very poor' air quality day of the season. Of Delhi's 57 monitoring stations, eight recorded severe pollution levels, 32 reported very poor air quality, 15 were in the poor category and only two registered moderate conditions at 9 am on Tuesday.

The deterioration comes amid rising pollution from multiple sources, including vehicular emissions, construction dust, industrial activities and agricultural residue burning. Stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana, along with smoke from Pakistan's Punjab province, has added to the pollution load. Farm fires reportedly contributed 8.5 per cent of Delhi's PM2.5 pollution on Monday, with the share projected to rise to 22 per cent by Thursday. Vehicular emissions accounted for around 20 per cent, making them a major local contributor.

Unfavourable weather conditions, including low wind speeds and high humidity, have further aggravated the situation by trapping pollutants close to the ground.

In response, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR. Measures include increased parking charges, staggered office timings, intensified road cleaning, water sprinkling and restrictions on polluting activities. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) also introduced 20 additional weekday train trips from Tuesday to encourage public transport use.

Meanwhile, the Air Quality Early Warning System forecast that Delhi's air quality would remain in the very poor category until November 5, with conditions likely to fluctuate between poor and very poor over the following days.

At Safdarjung, the minimum temperature was 16.4 degrees Celsius, while the India Meteorological Department forecast a mainly clear sky and a maximum temperature of around 29 degrees Celsius.