New Delhi: Delhi and its surrounding regions woke up to a thick layer of smog on Tuesday morning after Diwali celebrations filled the air with smoke and pollutants. Despite restrictions on firecrackers, widespread bursting of fireworks through Monday night caused a sharp deterioration in air quality, pushing most monitoring stations into the “red zone.”
Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed alarming Air Quality Index (AQI) levels across the region. Ghaziabad recorded an AQI of 329, the highest among Delhi-NCR cities, while Noida and Gurugram also reported levels well above 300. In Delhi itself, 36 of 38 monitoring stations showed “very poor” to “severe” air quality. At 10 pm on Diwali night, the city’s overall AQI stood at 344, with some areas such as Dwarka (417), Wazirpur (423), Ashok Vihar (404) and Anand Vihar (404) crossing into the “severe” category.
The 24-hour average AQI for Delhi rose to 345 on Monday, compared with 326 on Sunday. Officials warned that conditions are likely to worsen further on Tuesday and Wednesday as calm winds and dropping temperatures trap pollutants close to the ground.
In neighbouring regions, air quality also plunged. Gurugram registered an AQI of 340, Rohtak 345, Manesar 301, and Faridabad 274. Several cities in Uttar Pradesh, including Meerut (300), Hapur (314), and Greater Noida (285), reported hazardous conditions as well.
The CPCB classifies AQI readings between 301 and 400 as “very poor” and those between 401 and 500 as “severe.” Levels in this range pose serious health risks, especially to children, the elderly, and people with respiratory issues.
According to the Decision Support System, transport emissions contributed around 15.6 percent to Delhi’s air pollution on Monday, while industrial activities accounted for over 23 percent.
In response to the rising pollution, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has already implemented Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan across Delhi-NCR, restricting construction activities and mandating stricter emission controls to curb further deterioration.
