New Delhi: A reading of over 2,500 was reported in Delhi last night amid a sharp deterioration in air quality following Diwali celebrations.
On Monday morning, the national capital’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 366 at 6 am, in the ‘Very Poor’ category, while 15 monitoring stations recorded AQI levels above 400. Thick smog engulfed several areas, reducing visibility.
Sonia Vihar recorded the highest AQI at 449, followed by Burari Crossing at 445, Vivek Vihar at 441, Jahangirpuri at 439 and Delhi University’s North Campus at 437.
Rohini recorded 435, DTU 431, Bawana 424, Chandni Chowk and Patparganj 418 each, Mundka 413, NIH Narela and Punjabi Bagh 408 each, while ITO and Commonwealth Sports Complex recorded 404.
The India Meteorological Department issued a warning of dense to very dense fog in several districts, including South-East Delhi, East Delhi, Shahdara, North, South and Central Delhi.
RJD MP Manoj Jha questioned the Centre and Delhi government over their year-round preparations, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah should also be held accountable.
He warned that pollution would again become a seasonal concern, with stubble burning used as an excuse.
Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra, meanwhile, accused AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal of orchestrating a campaign against Diwali and Sanatan Dharma under the pretext of pollution. He alleged that leaders and paid celebrities would be used to promote the narrative.
Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) remains in force across Delhi-NCR.
