Delhi’s Air Quality Crashes to ‘Poor’ at 264; Smog Blanket Returns After Brief Relief

Delhi’s air quality took a sharp nosedive Thursday, with the citywide AQI climbing to 264 in the “poor” category per CPCB data, erasing a fleeting clean-air window from Wednesday’s 202 drop. A stubborn smog blanket shrouded key areas like ITO at 290 and Narela at 294, while 28 of 38 monitoring stations spiked past 300 into “very poor” territory. Pollutant levels rebounded aggressively, PM2.5 rose from 85.5 to over 120 micrograms per cubic metre, and PM10 from 175 to near 250, signaling a rapid buildup of lung-damaging particles that health experts warn can trigger asthma, heart issues, and reduced lung function in children and the elderly.

The brief Wednesday respite, the cleanest in nearly a week, stemmed from gusty winds dispersing farm-fire smoke and vehicular exhaust, but Thursday’s slowdown to under 10 kmph trapped emissions like a lid on a pressure cooker. The Air Quality Early Warning System forecasts “very poor” conditions persisting through November 8, with calm winds, falling temperatures, and stubble-burning plumes from Punjab and Haryana converging on the capital. Neighboring NCR cities mirrored the gloom, Gurugram at 229, Noida 216, Ghaziabad 274, and Faridabad 187, all “poor” and unfit for sensitive groups, underscoring a regional crisis demanding cross-state coordination beyond Delhi’s borders.

Doubts swirled over official numbers after an India Today ground probe exposed stark discrepancies. While CPCB reported a city AQI of 215 Wednesday evening, independent monitors clocked over 350 in multiple spots, labeling them “very poor.” At notorious hotspot Anand Vihar, devices registered 400-500 despite official claims of 276, raising fears of underreporting that could delay emergency actions like odd-even schemes or construction bans. Experts argue consistent transparency is vital for public trust and timely GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan) enforcement, especially as winter inversion layers loom to worsen the annual smog siege.

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Delhi government scrambled into overdrive, deploying 200 road-cleaning vans for dust suppression, raiding industrial units for emission violations, and impounding old polluting vehicles under stricter PUC norms. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta vowed to “normalize hotspots” with targeted sprinklers and anti-smog towers, while appealing to residents to carpool and avoid early morning jogs. Yet critics point to lagging enforcement, like unchecked construction dust and garbage burning, plus delayed artificial rain trials, questioning if patchwork measures can outpace the pollution surge fueled by 40% transport, 30% dust, and seasonal crop residue.

As masks reappear and schools advise indoor play, Delhiites brace for a toxic November. With AQI forecasts refusing to budge from “very poor,” the capital’s 20 million residents face heightened health risks unless winds return or stubble alternatives scale up fast. This smog relapse isn’t just numbers, it’s a public health emergency demanding urgent, honest action before the air turns “severe” and hospitals overflow.

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