Delhi Air Quality Enters Very Poor Zone as Chandni Chowk Hits 361 AQI
Delhi's air quality slipped into the 'very poor' category for the first time this season on November 1, recording an overall morning Air Quality Index reading of 314 at 10:00 am, with Chandni Chowk recording an even higher level of 361. The figures released by the Central Pollution Control Board marked the city's transition into the range that triggers the enforcement of Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan across the capital.
The Central Pollution Control Board stated that the 314 figure reflected the morning reading rather than the 24-hour daily average, which is calculated later at 4:00 pm. Under standard official classifications, an index score between 0 and 50 is ranked 'good', 51 to 100 'satisfactory', 101 to 200 'moderate', 201 to 300 'poor', 301 to 400 'very poor' and 401 to 500 'severe'. Because the citywide score crossed the 300 threshold, Stage 2 GRAP provisions were brought into force to impose strict anti-pollution measures.
Elevated pollution levels were documented across multiple monitoring locations. Alongside Chandni Chowk's reading of 361, the Central Pollution Control Board recorded an AQI of 370 in RK Puram, 349 near Akshardham Temple, 349 at ITO, and 335 around India Gate and Janpath. Alipur logged the highest level among stations at 382, while Delhi University's North Campus stood at 359, Dwarka Sector-8 at 357, Sirifort and Burari Crossing at 354 each, and NIH Narela at 353. Mandir Marg and Pusa stood at 340, CRRI Mathura Road recorded 334, Talkatora Garden hit 322, JNU and Nangloi reached 319, Burari recorded 313, and Uttam Nagar stood at 310. Other areas remained in the 'poor' band, including Aya Nagar at 288, Ghoga at 274, Vasundhara Enclave at 273, Badarpur at 258, Karala at 256, Jharoda Kalan at 237, and Chhawla at 213.
The spike in pollution coincided with the launch of the Delhi government's Winter Action Plan on November 1, which will stay active until February 28. Vehicles registered outside Delhi that do not meet BS-VI emission standards are prohibited from entering the capital. In addition, all dust-generating demolition and outdoor civil construction activities are barred through January 31, except for specified essential public infrastructure, with a wider complete ban slated from December 10 to January 20.
Civic curbs also include revised working hours, with Delhi government offices running from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm and Municipal Corporation of Delhi offices operating from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Parking charges at authorised city parking facilities have been doubled through February 28 to curb private vehicular usage, while private and government workplaces have been asked to limit on-site physical presence to 50 percent, excluding essential and emergency services.
On the opening day of enforcement, authorities collected Rs 68.4 lakh in penalties and environmental compensation. Inspection teams examined nearly 15,000 vehicles, turned back 1,539 vehicles at border checkpoints, and issued 566 challans for Pollution Under Control Certificate violations. Official figures tallied Rs 56.6 lakh for PUCC breaches, Rs 2 lakh for vehicle entry rule violations, and Rs 9.8 lakh in environmental compensation for dust-control lapses at construction and demolition sites.
