Delhi residents continued to breathe toxic air on Tuesday, December 3, as the city's average Air Quality Index (AQI) remained in the 'poor' category. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported that Delhi-NCR's average AQI reached 274 points by 7.30 am.
Eight areas in Delhi recorded AQI levels exceeding 300, with Shadipur recording the highest at 342. Other areas with severe AQI levels were Bawana (305), Jahangirpuri (307), Mundka (325), Nehru Nagar (304), RK Puram (303), Rohini (302), and Siri Fort (306).
The majority of Delhi's neighborhoods experienced AQI levels between 200 and 300, indicating 'poor' air quality. The CPCB classifies AQI values between 0-50 as 'good', 51-100 as 'satisfactory', 101-200 as 'moderate', 201-300 as 'poor', 301-400 as 'very poor', 401-450 as 'severe', and above 450 as 'severe plus'.
In response to the escalating pollution crisis, the Supreme Court has ordered the implementation of all measures under Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-4), with the exception of school closures. GRAP-4 imposes strict controls on construction, industrial emissions, and other pollution-generating practices. The court has also warned of legal consequences for officials found negligent in implementing these measures.
The AQI in several areas of Delhi remained between 200 and 300, including Alipur (272), Anand Vihar (293), Ashok Vihar (285), Chandni Chowk (249), Mathura Road (235), Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range (293), DTU (265), Dwarka Sector 8 (299), IGI Airport (257), Dilshad Garden (262), ITO (235), Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (250), Lodhi Road (232), Major Dhyanchand Stadium (271), Mandir Marg (262), Najafgarh (237), Narela (260), North Campus DU (261), NSIT Dwarka (252), Okhla Phase 2 (278), Patparganj (271), Punjabi Bagh (252), Pusa (248), Sonia Vihar (289) and Sri Aurobindo Marg (238).
Among the measures taken under GRAP-4 are a ban on the entry of non-essential trucks into Delhi, unless they are carrying essential goods or operating on cleaner fuels such as LNG, CNG, BS-VI diesel, or electricity. Additionally, construction activities for public infrastructure projects have been suspended to mitigate dust pollution.
The air quality in Delhi's neighboring cities also remained a cause for concern. Faridabad recorded an AQI of 255, Gurugram 222, Ghaziabad 181, Greater Noida 195, and Noida 162.