Delhi AQI at 364, Several Areas Record Severe Pollution Levels

This places the capital in the 'very poor' category (301–400), though several monitoring stations recorded 'severe' pollution levels (401–500).

IIT Delhi logged an AQI of 443, Punjabi Bagh recorded 433, and Narela stood at 409, all in the 'severe' category. Cantonment Area recorded 315, Dhaula Kuan stood at 318, while Anand Vihar registered 272.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), misty conditions prevailed at New Delhi-Safdarjung, where the temperature was recorded at 17.0°C at 5:30 am.

This marks a slight improvement from Friday morning, when the city's overall AQI stood at 389.

The readings come a day after the Sub-Committee on the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Stage III measures across Delhi-NCR, two days ahead of Diwali, to prevent further deterioration in air quality.

According to the CPCB, an AQI between 301 and 400 falls under the 'very poor' category, while readings between 401 and 500 are classified as 'severe'.

With Stage III measures now in force, existing restrictions will continue alongside additional steps, including stricter pollution-control measures, increased enforcement and directions to concerned agencies to prevent further deterioration in air quality.

The emergency action plan applies across Delhi and adjoining districts of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. It is invoked as a precautionary measure based on meteorological and pollution forecasts from the IMD and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), ensuring restrictions are implemented before citywide AQI levels breach the 'severe' mark of 401.

GRAP is a four-stage emergency framework managed by the CAQM in coordination with the CPCB and regional state governments, with restrictions becoming progressively stricter as air quality worsens.

Under Stage I, triggered when the AQI is between 201 and 300 and categorised as 'poor', the focus is on road dust control, enforcing pollution norms and banning open waste burning.

Stage II kicks in when the AQI is between 301 and 400, or 'very poor', bringing enhanced dust control, higher parking fees and staggered office timings.

Stage III is invoked when the AQI reaches 401 to 450, classified as 'severe', and entails strict vehicle restrictions, a halt to construction activities and the option of hybrid learning for primary school students.

Stage IV, for AQI above 450, categorised as 'severe plus', involves restrictions on heavy goods vehicles and emergency traffic and industrial measures.

The activation of Stage III introduces high-impact measures targeting emissions and dust, operating alongside existing Stage I and Stage II mandates.

Strict bans are enforced on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers across Delhi and designated NCR districts. The revised framework also tightens restrictions on older light and medium goods vehicles and non-Delhi-registered diesel commercial vehicles entering the capital.

All non-essential, highly dust-generating construction activities, including major excavations, earthwork, demolition and road construction, are suspended. Permitted essential projects must follow stringent dust-mitigation protocols.

Heavy dust-generating operations, including stone crushers and mining activities, also face immediate shutdown or operational restrictions.

School Operations: Education authorities have been allowed to shift primary classes (up to Class 5) to a hybrid learning model, combining physical classroom and online instruction to reduce children's exposure to polluted air.

Authorities are also augmenting public transportation frequency by adding extra Metro trips and deploying additional buses to accommodate commuter demand and discourage the use of private vehicles.

Stage III serves as a crucial preventive measure designed to stop air quality from escalating into the dangerous Stage IV ('Severe+') category.

By targeting major sources of particulate matter, specifically PM2.5, PM10 and nitrogen oxides, the restrictions aim to reduce public health risks associated with respiratory illnesses and cardiovascular stress, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly.

While GRAP operates as an emergency intervention, CAQM officials emphasise that coordinated action across all four stages highlights the long-term need for regional cooperation, cleaner transport adoption and sustainable urban waste management.