A layer of toxic smog engulfed Delhi on Thursday as air quality remained in the ‘very poor’ category, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, just a day after the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) revoked Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage III restrictions.
According to CPCB, the national capital recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 349 at 7 am. On Wednesday, Delhi’s AQI stood at 327 at 4 pm.
Visuals from Anand Vihar showed dense smog blanketing the area, with the AQI touching 390—just below the ‘severe’ category threshold of 400.
Wazirpur recorded the worst AQI at 406 in the ‘severe’ category, followed closely by Bawana at 405. In contrast, Mandir Marg reported the lowest AQI at 243.
Other AQI readings across the city included: Rohini 400 (‘very poor’), Vivek Vihar 400, Nehru Nagar 395, Jahangirpuri 394, Narela 388, Ashok Vihar 388, Punjabi Bagh 377, Mundka 377, DTU 373, Chandni Chowk 371, Burari Crossing 369, ITO 357, RK Puram 356, Sonia Vihar 355, Okhla Phase-2 351, Patparganj 351, and JLN Stadium 350.
Meanwhile, Major Dhyan Chand Stadium recorded an AQI of 299, along with Lodhi Road at 297, Sri Aurobindo Marg at 295, and Aya Nagar at 282.
A local resident said, “We are having difficulty breathing, and it feels very suffocating. This suffocation has increased since last week.”
To mitigate pollution, a truck-mounted water sprinkler was deployed around Kartavya Path, where the AQI was recorded at 299.
As the AQI improved from the ‘severe’ to the ‘very poor’ category, CAQM on Wednesday lifted all restrictions under Stage III of GRAP with immediate effect.
However, the panel has directed authorities to intensify actions under Stage I and II to ensure pollution levels do not spike again.
“Actions under Stage I and II shall remain invoked and be implemented as per the modified GRAP dated 21.11.2025, monitored and reviewed by all agencies concerned to ensure AQI levels do not slip back into the ‘Severe/Severe+’ category. All implementing agencies shall maintain strict vigilance and intensify measures under Stage I and II,” the order stated.
The order also clarified that construction sites previously shut down for violations cannot resume operations without separate clearance from the Commission.
The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is a set of emergency measures activated in Delhi-NCR when pollution crosses critical levels, with actions escalating based on the severity of the AQI. (Agencies)
