Delhi’s air quality persisted in the ‘very poor’ category on Saturday, recording an average AQI of 359, a slight improvement from Friday’s 364, according to the Air Quality Early Warning System. However, a thick layer of smog continued to blanket parts of the city.
The ITO area recorded an AQI of 370 (‘very poor’), while Noida’s Sector 125 remained in the ‘severe’ category at 434. Greater Noida saw slightly better air, with Knowledge Park 5 at 393 and Knowledge Park 3 at 294 (‘poor’). IGI Airport area showed some relief at 296 (‘poor’), while India Gate recorded 370 and Akshardham 422 (‘severe’). Industrial Bawana saw AQI at 419, Anand Vihar at 422, Ashok Vihar 403, Aya Nagar 330, and Rohini 414.
Residents expressed concern over increasing pollution due to heavy vehicular traffic. A Punjabi Bagh resident said, “The buses, cars, which are increasing day by day, and that there is no way for the cars to fit on the roads, pollution is increasing. There should be some control on vehicles.” Another resident added, “Coming out is becoming difficult, people are getting sick; it is hard to go to parks or markets.”
The Delhi High Court had earlier ordered the cancellation of all outdoor sports events after students raised health concerns during toxic winter months. Justice Sachin Datta emphasized that authorities must protect children’s health by adjusting the annual sports calendar.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court directed that construction workers, affected by GRAP-3 restrictions in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, must receive a subsistence allowance.
The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP Stage 3) has been in effect since November 11, imposing stricter restrictions on construction, vehicular movement, and industrial activity to control emissions. The national capital recorded an average temperature of 13°C, the minimum recorded on Friday.
