Delhi Air Quality Plummets to Severe Levels After Diwali Firecrackers

Delhi and surrounding areas woke up to a heavy layer of smog and severe air pollution on Monday morning following extensive firecracker burning during Diwali celebrations. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, the average Air Quality Index in Delhi stood at 368 at 7 am, while the Delhi government portal recorded an average of 366 at 6 am.

High Pollution Pockets

Out of the active monitoring stations, 15 locations recorded an AQI exceeding 400, placing them in the severe category. Sonia Vihar recorded the highest peak at 449 according to the BBC, with Burari Crossing reaching 445, Vivek Vihar at 441, Jahangirpuri at 439, and North Campus at 437. Other severely affected areas included DTU at 434, Rohini at 430, Bawana at 424, Chandni Chowk and Patparganj at 418, Mundka at 417, and Punjabi Bag at 409. Meanwhile, areas like Okhla Phase-2 registered 353, Anand Vihar 335, and IGNOU Maidan Garhi recorded the lowest at 247. Neighboring Noida, Greater Noida, and Ghaziabad also experienced poor to very poor air quality, with Ghaziabad at 366 and Noida at 340.

Transport and Visibility

Thick fog coupled with toxic smog sharply reduced visibility across the capital, prompting the India Meteorological Department to issue warnings of dense to very dense fog, particularly requiring vigilance in Southeast Delhi, East Delhi, and Shahdara. Railway data shows that the low visibility and smog are affecting train schedules. The Vande Bharat Sleeper Express from Banaras reached New Delhi over an hour late, the Poorva Express from Howrah arrived about 40 minutes late, and special trains from Darbhanga and Howrah faced delays of four and thirteen hours respectively.

Context

An AQI reading between 401 and 500 is classified as severe and poses health risks even to healthy individuals, while readings from 301 to 400 can cause breathing problems over prolonged exposure. The Graded Response Action Plan Stage 2 remains active in the capital to combat the rising pollution levels, and festival season travel frequently coincides with operational delays in train services.