Delhi’s air quality has begun to deteriorate with the onset of the annual pollution season, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 169 on Saturday evening—categorized as ‘Moderate’ but edging toward ‘Poor’. Environmental experts warn that this is an early signal of worsening conditions as stubble burning, festive firecrackers, and winter inversion layers begin to take effect.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported elevated PM2.5 levels across key monitoring stations in Anand Vihar, RK Puram, and Jahangirpuri. Meteorologists attribute the spike to falling wind speeds and rising humidity, which trap pollutants closer to the ground.
Delhi’s Environment Minister Gopal Rai urged residents to minimize vehicular emissions and avoid open burning. The city’s Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is expected to be activated in phases starting next week, with restrictions on construction dust and diesel generators likely.
Public health experts have advised vulnerable groups—including children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions—to limit outdoor exposure and use N95 masks when necessary. Hospitals have reported a slight uptick in cases of breathlessness and eye irritation.
The Delhi government is also preparing to relaunch its anti-pollution campaigns, including the ‘Red Light On, Gaadi Off’ initiative and school awareness drives. Civic bodies have been instructed to intensify street cleaning and deploy water sprinklers in high-traffic zones.