Delhi's Air Quality Slips to 'Severe' Category with Overall AQI Reaching 483

Delhi's air quality deteriorated sharply on Sunday morning, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) slipping into the 'severe' category at 483 at 8:10 am. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) indicated that several parts of the national capital recorded pollution levels above 400.

The worsening air quality follows the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoking Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR on Friday, two days ahead of Diwali, amid concerns over further deterioration in pollution levels. The overall AQI of 483 marks a significant deterioration from Saturday morning, when Delhi's AQI stood at 364 at 8 am, placing it in the 'very poor' category.

According to CPCB data, multiple areas fell under the 'severe' category, including Bawana with an AQI of 446, Punjabi Bagh at 449, RK Puram at 448, IIT Delhi and Rohini at 445 each, Chandni Chowk at 420, Patparganj at 421, and Alipur at 413. Meanwhile, Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 328, and Narela registered 395, placing both areas in the 'very poor' category. The air quality around India Gate was recorded at 398, while the area around Akshardham Temple registered 336, both falling under 'very poor'.

As winter sets in, parts of Delhi experienced a thick layer of haze on Sunday morning, accompanied by poor visibility. The emergency action plan applies across Delhi and adjoining districts of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, implemented as a precautionary measure based on meteorological forecasts from the India Meteorological Department and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology.

Under the enforced Stage III measures, existing restrictions continue alongside additional pollution-control mandates. The regulations prohibit BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers from plying across Delhi and designated NCR districts. The framework also tightens restrictions on older light and medium goods vehicles, as well as diesel commercial vehicles not registered in Delhi.

Furthermore, all non-essential construction activities generating substantial dust, such as major excavation, demolition, and road construction, have been suspended. Heavy dust-generating operations, including stone crushers and mining activities, face immediate shutdown or operational restrictions to contain pollution levels following Diwali celebrations.

"Severe environmental conditions and strict regulatory interventions like GRAP Stage III directly impact business continuity, supply chains, and workforce operations across the Delhi-NCR region. For businesses and startups operating in logistics, construction, and commercial sectors, adhering to compliance measures while managing operational disruptions is critical during peak pollution periods." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes