Delhi Air Quality Deteriorates to ‘Very Poor’, Several Areas Slip into ‘Severe’ Zone

Delhi’s air quality worsened further on Sunday, sliding into the ‘very poor’ bracket with an overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of 377 at 7 a.m. — a sharp rise from 303 on Saturday and 218 the day before. Several parts of the city recorded AQI levels in the ‘severe’ and even ‘hazardous’ categories.

Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed AQI levels crossing the 400-mark in multiple locations, including Ashok Vihar, Burari Crossing, Chandni Chowk, Jahangirpuri and Wazirpur — all classified as ‘severe’.

On Saturday, 26 of Delhi’s 38 monitoring stations recorded ‘very poor’ air quality, while the rest fell in the ‘poor’ category.

Area-wise AQI Readings

• AIIMS: 421

• Ashok Vihar: 404

• Chandni Chowk: 414

• Jahangirpuri: 402

• Wazirpur: 432

Govt Response & Pollution Control Measures
With post-Diwali pollution levels climbing, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa inspected monitoring and control measures at Anand Vihar on Saturday. He said 13 pollution hotspots in Delhi are being “extra-monitored” and that road repair and dust-control projects worth over ₹400 crore are underway.

Sirsa said efforts include easing traffic congestion, improving road infrastructure, installing permanent mist-based sprinklers, and expanding e-bus and charging infrastructure. “Our preparations have been on for seven months,” he said, adding that multiple departments — including MCD, DTC and PWD — have been directed to act on priority.

AQI Scale (CPCB)

• 0–50: Good

• 51–100: Satisfactory

• 101–200: Moderate

• 201–300: Poor

• 301–400: Very Poor

• 401–500: Severe

The IMD has forecast shallow fog on Sunday morning, with temperatures expected to range between 18°C (min) and 31°C (max).