The air quality index in the capital stood at 368 at 7 am on Monday, placing the city in the very poor category. Several stations recorded far worse readings, with Burari Crossing and Sonia Vihar both at 441, Vivek Vihar at 437 and Delhi Technological University at 434.
Severe readings across the city
The 15 stations in the severe category showed how widespread the problem was on Monday morning. The readings followed a night of firecracker bursting across the city, with smoke adding to the already heavy pollution load. Particulate matter levels were extremely high through the night. PM2.5 at Akshardham reached 760.99 at 11 pm on Sunday, a level around 50 times the World Health Organization guideline. The figure underlined how sharply air quality had fallen after Diwali celebrations.
GRAP Stage III curbs in force
The Graded Response Action Plan Stage III has been in force in Delhi since 6 November. The curbs cover a range of pollution sources, including construction activity and the use of certain vehicles, and are meant to keep air quality from falling further during the winter season. The Supreme Court had allowed green crackers only within fixed time windows for Diwali. Those windows were widely flouted across the city on Sunday night, with bursting continuing well beyond the permitted hours and adding to the smoke.
A different day from Sunday's reading
Monday's reading is a fresh measurement and not a repeat of Sunday's figure. The city average stood at 369 on Sunday, and Monday's 368 at 7 am came with a different set of station readings, including the severe figures at Burari Crossing, Sonia Vihar, Vivek Vihar and Delhi Technological University. The comparison shows that the pollution spike after Diwali has held into Monday morning rather than clearing overnight. The calm weather and the smoke from the night's bursting kept the pollutants trapped close to the ground.
What happens next
With GRAP Stage III in force, the authorities will continue to enforce the curbs while monitoring the readings through the day. The coming days will show whether the air clears as the smoke disperses or whether the severe conditions persist into the week. Residents have been advised to limit outdoor activity while the air remains in the severe and very poor categories. The morning readings are a reminder that the post-Diwali pollution spike is now a regular feature of the festival in the capital.
