States » NorthPosted at: Nov 5 2026 7:46PM


AQI spike ahead of Diwali puts Delhi on edge, several monitoring stations cross 400

New Delhi, Nov 5 (UNI) With Diwali just days away, Delhi's air pollution crisis continues to intensify, with the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) climbing to 370 on Thursday morning, placing it in the 'very poor' category, while several monitoring stations recorded pollution levels in the 'severe' range. Jahangirpuri emerged as the most polluted locality with an AQI of 459, raising concerns over a further deterioration in air quality during the festival.
Thick haze continued to engulf the national capital for the fourth consecutive day, with at least 10 monitoring stations recording AQI readings above 400. Areas including Alipur, Bawana and Punjabi Bagh were among those witnessing severe pollution levels, according to monitoring data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Of the 59 monitoring stations reporting data, 18 recorded 'severe' air quality, while 36 remained in the 'very poor' category. PM2.5 was identified as the predominant pollutant at most locations, while PM10 emerged as the major contributor at a few stations.
The situation has raised fresh apprehensions about the impact of Diwali celebrations on the already deteriorating air quality. The Air Quality Early Warning System has indicated the possibility of Delhi slipping into the 'severe' category on November 6 and 7, coinciding with the festival and the anticipated use of firecrackers.
The Supreme Court has permitted the sale and bursting of certified green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR for two days, November 7 and 8, observing that there was insufficient data to establish that a complete ban alone could resolve the region's recurring pollution problem.
The court has restricted the use of these firecrackers to two specific time slots; 6 am to 7 am and 8 pm to 10 pm; on the day preceding Diwali and the festival day. The complete prohibition on firecrackers will come into force again from November 9.
Meanwhile, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has stepped up its intervention in Punjab amid a sharp increase in stubble-burning incidents, another major seasonal contributor to pollution in the national capital region.
Taking serious note of the surge in farm fires, the commission on Wednesday convened a high-level meeting with senior administrative and police officials from 12 districts of Punjab to assess enforcement measures and review efforts to prevent crop residue burning.
The meeting, chaired by CAQM Chairman Rajesh Verma through video conferencing, was attended by the state's Environment and Agriculture Department secretaries, along with deputy commissioners and senior superintendents of police from the districts witnessing farm fires.
The commission directed the district administrations to intensify surveillance and enforcement, while making designated nodal officers accountable for inadequate monitoring and failure to prevent stubble burning. It also warned that action would be taken against officials found negligent in discharging their responsibilities.UNI PWS AAB
Tags: #AQI spike ahead of Diwali puts Delhi on edge# several monitoring stations cross 400
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