Delhi gasps for breath as air quality turns 'severe'
What's the story
Delhi woke up to a thick layer of smog on Sunday morning, with the average Air Quality Index (AQI) at 381 at 7:00am. The index falls in the "very poor" category despite measures for the "severe" AQI category under GRAP Stage IV being implemented under Stage III across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). Bawana recorded the highest pollution level at 435, falling under the "severe" category, while NSIT Dwarka recorded the lowest at 313.
Pollution hotspots
Toxic smog blankets Anand Vihar, Chandani Chowk
Anand Vihar also saw a layer of toxic smog with an AQI of 429, classified as "severe." Other areas like Chandani Chowk (AQI 390), RK Puram (397), ITO (384), Punjabi Bagh (411), Patparganj (401), Pusa (360) and Dwaraka Sector-8 (386) were also affected. Visuals from India Gate and Kartavya Path showed thick smog with an AQI of 388 in the "very poor" category.
Action plan
CAQM revises GRAP in response to severe AQI
On Saturday, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) revised the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for NCR and adjoining areas. Measures under the "severe" AQI category in GRAP Stage IV will now be implemented under Stage III. This means state governments and GNCTD will decide if offices can operate at 50% capacity with others working from home.
Controversy
AAP accuses BJP-run Delhi government of manipulating AQI data
Earlier, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Delhi State President Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that the pollution crisis has reached a public health emergency due to the manipulation of air quality data. Bharadwaj accused the BJP-run Delhi government of fabricating AQI readings and allowing construction activities despite GRAP-III bans. He claimed pollution levels were falsely recorded to avoid triggering mandatory restrictions.