Congress slams government as Delhi air quality hits very poor level

Delhi air quality dropped into the very poor category for the first time this season on Monday, November 2, 2026, with the Air Quality Index hitting 312 at nine in the morning.

Reactions

The Congress party criticized the central administration over the worsening pollution, stating that finer particulate matter is choking the national capital. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said the current government needs to take the issue much more seriously. He noted that the National Clean Air Programme focuses heavily on larger PM10 particles, but smaller PM2.5 particles pose the real danger to public health. Mr. Ramesh also pointed out that local PM2.5 safety standards are four times higher than World Health Organisation limits on a 24-hour average, and eight times higher on an annual average, adding that these standards need urgent revision and strict enforcement.

Context

Under official guidelines from the Central Pollution ControlBoard, an AQI reading between 301 and 400 is classified as very poor. This air quality level triggers the implementation of Graded Response Action Plan Stage 2 measures by the Commission for Air Quality Management to help curb pollution.