Delhi Air Quality Enters Very Poor Category for First Time This Season as AQI Reaches 324

Delhi's air quality moved into the very poor category on November 2 for the first time this season. The Central Pollution Control Board reported a city-wide Air Quality Index of 324 at 4 p.m., the highest reading since February 4. Three monitoring stations crossed into the severe range: Jahangirpuri at 436, Rohini at 415 and Punjabi Bagh at 413.

Of the city's 58 active stations, 37 recorded very poor air, 17 poor, three severe and one moderate. Morning readings earlier in the day had shown 310 at 8 a.m. and 312 at 9 a.m. The rise followed a brief improvement after rainfall late in October. On Sunday the 24-hour average stood at 261, already in the poor range.

The Commission for Air Quality Management invoked Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan across Delhi-NCR. Measures include restrictions on certain construction activities, higher parking fees and limits on the use of older diesel vehicles. Non-BS-6 vehicles remain under existing bans in some zones. Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said enforcement teams checked 14,930 vehicles on November 1 and issued 566 challans for missing Pollution Under Control certificates. They also inspected 300 construction sites.

The Air Quality Early Warning System projects that the city will stay in the very poor band from November 3 through November 5. Stubble burning in neighboring states contributed 18.5 percent of the pollution load on Sunday, while transport accounted for 16.4 percent, according to the Decision Support System. Local sources, including construction dust and industrial emissions, make up the remainder.

Visibility dropped across central Delhi. Photographs from India Gate and nearby roads showed a thick haze. Hospitals have reported an increase in respiratory complaints, though no official daily case counts have been released for November 2. Health authorities advise people with heart or lung conditions to limit outdoor time. Schools have not closed city-wide, but some institutions restricted outdoor activities.

The timing places the deterioration days before Diwali. Previous years have seen further spikes from firecrackers. This year's GRAP Stage 2 order arrived before the festival. Officials have said they will monitor compliance and can move to Stage 3 if the index rises further. Stage 3 brings stricter construction bans and additional vehicle restrictions.

Neighboring cities recorded similar levels. Noida, Greater Noida and parts of Haryana also entered the very poor range. The broader northern plain has seen stagnant winds that trap pollutants close to the ground. Meteorologists expect no strong western disturbance in the next several days that would clear the air.

Residents have begun using masks and air purifiers more widely. Sales of portable filters rose in the days before the index crossed 300. The municipal corporation has increased water sprinkling on major roads. These steps reduce dust but do not address the larger combustion sources.

The 324 reading is the highest in 271 days. It ends a stretch in which October had produced some of the cleaner readings of the past decade in the capital. The reversal shows how quickly the index can climb once meteorological conditions change and local emissions continue. Forecasts through November 5 give little indication of a rapid return to moderate levels.

Authorities have not announced additional emergency measures beyond Stage 2. The next official daily bulletin will appear on November 3. If the index holds above 300, the existing restrictions will remain in force. Further rises could trigger the next stage of the response plan.