NEW DELHI, Nov 19: Delhi’s air quality has remained in the ‘severe plus’ category for the second straight day on Tuesday, enveloping the national capital in a thick blanket of smog and significantly reducing visibility. At 8 a.m., the average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at a staggering 488, classified as ‘severe plus’, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Certain areas within the city recorded AQI levels that exceeded the citywide average, with Anand Vihar, Bawana, CRRI Mathura Road, and Narela each reaching the maximum AQI level of 500. Other hazardous readings included DTU at 494, Dwarka Sector-8 at 494, Jahangirpuri at 493, Mundka at 498, North Campus at 494, Punjabi Bagh at 495, RK Puram at 490, Shadipur at 498, and Wazirpur at 498. ITO, though relatively lower, still indicated a concerning AQI of 391.
In response to the alarming air quality, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a ‘yellow’ alert for Delhi, forecasting moderate to dense fog. The toxic air quality not only affected health but also disrupted transportation, with the Indian Railways reporting 22 delayed trains and nine rescheduled services due to the poor visibility exacerbated by the smog.
In an effort to safeguard students, several schools and colleges in the National Capital Region (NCR) transitioned to online classes due to the hazardous air conditions. In-person attendance for Classes 10 and 12 was suspended until further notice. Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) also shifted to online classes, putting a pause on physical attendance until November 22.
Addressing the crisis, the Supreme Court directed all states within the Delhi-NCR region to promptly deploy enforcement teams to rigorously implement Stage 4 of the anti-pollution Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The court emphasized that states have a constitutional obligation to provide a pollution-free environment and mandated that restrictions remain in force until further notice.
Under GRAP Stage 4, a series of regulations are in place: trucks are prohibited from entering Delhi unless they are carrying essential goods or powered by clean fuel (LNG/CNG/BS-VI diesel/electric). Non-essential light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi are also banned unless they use CNG, BS-VI diesel, or electric power. Furthermore, all construction activities—including highways, roads, flyovers, power lines, pipelines, and other public infrastructure—are suspended.
In an initiative to combat the hazardous air quality, Delhi Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena launched the Delhi Development Authority’s (DDA) anti-smog misting drive on Monday, overseeing a trial run in Dwarka. “In light of the severe air quality index readings in Delhi, it is crucial that we adopt innovative and sustainable measures to protect the health and well-being of our residents,” said L-G Saxena during the launch. “This anti-smog misting system is a significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to mitigate pollution and create a healthier living environment for all,” he added.
According to the CPCB’s classification, an AQI measuring between 0 and 50 is deemed ‘good’, 51 to 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 to 200 ‘moderate’, 201 to 300 ‘poor’, 301 to 400 ‘very poor’, 401 to 450 ‘severe’, and anything above 450 is categorized as ‘severe plus’.
