Delhi Chokes as AQI Hits Severe Levels Despite GRAP-IV
Thick haze and extremely low visibility were reported in areas such as Ghazipur, ITO, and Anand Vihar
New Delhi: The national capital woke up to dense smog on Sunday morning, with the average Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 461 at 7 am, placing it in the “severe” category despite the implementation of Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi and the National Capital Region, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Thick haze and extremely low visibility were reported in areas such as Ghazipur, ITO, and Anand Vihar. Data from the CPCB showed that several localities across the city continued to experience “severe” air quality conditions.
Bawana recorded the highest AQI at 497, followed by Narela at 492 and Okhla Phase 2 at 474. NSIT Dwarka reported the lowest AQI at 411, though it still remained in the “severe” category.
Anand Vihar remained under a layer of toxic smog with an AQI of 491. Other areas including Ashok Vihar (493), ITO (483), DTU (495), and Nehru Nagar (479) also registered severe pollution levels.
Najafgarh recorded an AQI of 408, while Shadipur stood at 411, showing marginally better conditions compared to other areas but still within the “severe” range, according to CPCB data.
On Saturday, the Delhi government’s Directorate of Education directed schools to conduct classes up to Class IX and XI in hybrid mode after the Commission for Air Quality Management invoked Stage IV of GRAP as pollution levels worsened.
The CPCB classifies AQI on a scale from 0 to 500, with categories ranging from “good” to “severe.” Readings between 401 and 500 fall under the “severe” category, indicating hazardous air quality that poses serious health risks to all individuals, including healthy people.
