Delhi Air Pollution: AQI Deteriorates To ‘Very Poor’ Category Ahead Of Diwali

Air quality in Delhi worsened on Wednesday, reaching the 'very poor' category with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 349, according to SAFAR-India.

A thick layer of smog blanketed the capital and surrounding areas, including Noida, as pollution levels spiked.

Prasad, a Delhi resident, expressed his concern, saying, "There's already so much pollution before Diwali...people are suffering, and the government needs to take action." Another resident pointed to stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana, adding, "Banning crackers alone won't solve the problem."

In response to the rising pollution, the second stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has been activated in Delhi, restricting the use of coal and firewood in tandoors at hotels and restaurants and banning diesel generators, except for essential services. GRAP, a phased plan to combat air pollution, divides air quality into four stages, with 'very poor' being Stage II (AQI 301-400).

A student names Pankaj Chaudhary told PTI: "I have come here (Delhi) for an exam. I came to see the India Gate... pollution is very high here. The situation in Jaipur (hometown) is not like this. I am here at the Kartavya Path...one of best places but here too there is pollution. The government must do something about it," says a student Pankaj Chaudhary on Delhi air pollution.

On Tuesday, Delhi's AQI surpassed 310, as per SAFAR-India.