New Delhi – Delhi faced its 10th straight day of severe air pollution following Diwali, with dense smog blanketing parts of the city early Sunday. The Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 335 as of 8 a.m., categorizing the city’s air as “very poor,” according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Several areas in the capital saw even higher AQI readings, as recorded by the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR-India). Anand Vihar registered an AQI of 351, Bawana 383, and New Moti Bagh 394, among other areas experiencing hazardous air quality. High-profile locations like India Gate on Kartavya Path were also enveloped in smog, with an AQI of 357. Notably, Kalindi Kunj recorded 323, and Dhaula Kuan saw a dangerous 394 AQI reading, underscoring the “very poor” air quality across the city.
Region-wise AQI In Delhi-NCR:
| Location | AQI | Air Quality Category |
|---|---|---|
| Anand Vihar, Delhi | 351 | Very Poor |
| Bawana, Delhi | 383 | Very Poor |
| CRRI Mathura Road, Delhi | 323 | Very Poor |
| Dwarka Sector 8, Delhi | 341 | Very Poor |
| IGI Airport, Delhi | 326 | Very Poor |
| ITO, Delhi | 328 | Very Poor |
| Lodhi Road, Delhi | 319 | Very Poor |
| Mundka, Delhi | 358 | Very Poor |
| Najafgarh, Delhi | 341 | Very Poor |
| New Moti Bagh, Delhi | 394 | Very Poor |
| Okhla Phase-2, Delhi | 339 | Very Poor |
| RK Puram, Delhi | 368 | Very Poor |
| Wazirpur, Delhi | 366 | Very Poor |
| Kartavya Path (India Gate), Delhi | 357 | Very Poor |
| Kalindi Kunj, Delhi | 323 | Very Poor |
| Dhaula Kuan, Delhi | 394 | Very Poor |
| Noida, Uttar Pradesh | 375 | Very Poor |
| Gurugram, Haryana | 321 | Very Poor |
| Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh | 385 | Very Poor |
| Faridabad, Haryana | 330 | Very Poor |
According to the CPCB, AQI levels from 301 to 400 are considered “very poor,” while 401 and above are “severe.” Doctors report that even residents without respiratory conditions are experiencing symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, and difficulty breathing as air quality worsens.
Dr. Nikhil Modi, Senior Consultant for Respiratory Critical Care at Apollo Hospital, recommended closing schools to protect children, citing their vulnerability to pollution. “Children’s lungs are still developing, making them more susceptible to harm from air pollution,” Dr. Modi said, adding that school closures have been used effectively in previous years when pollution levels reached critical levels.
As Delhi’s pollution crisis continues, healthcare professionals urge residents to limit outdoor exposure and take preventive measures, especially for vulnerable groups like children and those with pre-existing health conditions.
