New Delhi: Delhi woke up to a suffocating haze the morning after Diwali, with the city’s air quality plunging into the “severe” category across most areas. The Air Quality Index (AQI) crossed all safety limits — Punjabi Bagh recorded an AQI of 999, while New Delhi stood at 758. Other areas such as Naraina (611), Old Delhi (659), and Anand Vihar (500) also reported hazardous pollution levels.
According to real-time visuals from INA, Akshardham, Connaught Place, and ITO, a thick blanket of smog has enveloped the city, reducing visibility to just a few meters. The pollution spike follows widespread firecracker bursting across the capital on Diwali night, despite the ban.
To curb the deteriorating air quality, the Delhi government has implemented GRAP-II restrictions. These include:
- A complete ban on construction and demolition activities.
- A ban on diesel generator sets.
- Advisories to reduce the use of private vehicles.
- Deployment of more CNG and electric buses to promote public transport.
- Extended Delhi Metro services to handle commuter load.
- RWAs instructed to provide heaters to security guards to prevent garbage or coal burning for warmth.
At India Gate, visibility dropped sharply as smog blanketed the area. “The sun is struggling to break through the haze; the air feels heavy and toxic,” said a field reporter from the site.
Even the high-security Lutyens’ Delhi area — equipped with air purifiers and “smog guns” — was not spared, with pollution levels rising despite restrictions.
Beyond Delhi, similar scenes were reported in Lucknow, where anti-smog guns have been deployed on city roads since morning to control rising AQI levels after Diwali fireworks. In Mumbai’s Dadar Beach, thick smog was seen early in the morning, making it difficult for residents to see even a few meters ahead. Meanwhile, Punjab’s Zirakpur also recorded “hazardous” pollution levels, prompting authorities to advise residents to wear masks and limit outdoor activity.
Environmental experts warn that with winter setting in, the situation could worsen as pollutants get trapped near the surface, turning Delhi and NCR into a “gas chamber.”
