A heavy layer of haze continued to hang over Delhi and nearby cities on Monday morning, with the air quality staying in the ‘very poor’ category. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 345 at 8 am, slightly better than 391 on Sunday, but still dangerous.

Many parts of the capital reported AQI levels between 300 and 400, which signals very poor to severe air pollution.

  • Anand Vihar: 379

  • ITO: 375

  • Punjabi Bagh: 324

  • Wazirpur: 397

  • Rohini: 390

  • Delhi Airport: 307

In Bawana, the pollution was even worse, with the AQI at 412, falling into the ‘severe’ category.

Neighbouring areas also saw very poor air:

  • Faridabad: 312

  • Ghaziabad: 318

  • Greater Noida: 325

  • Gurugram: 328

  • Noida: 310

For reference, an AQI:

  • 0–50 is good

  • 51–100 satisfactory

  • 101–200 moderate

  • 201–300 poor

  • 301–400 very poor

  • 401–450 severe

  • Above 450 severe-plus

Visuals from Akshardham showed thick smog with an AQI of 479. Water sprinkling was carried out in Lodhi Road, where the AQI was 314, to try and bring down dust and smoke in the air.

Despite the air staying in the red zone, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has decided not to implement GRAP Stage-3 restrictions at the moment. The panel noted that Delhi’s hourly AQI improved slightly on Sunday,  from 391 at 10 am to 365 by 5 pm.

The CAQM said it is continuously watching the situation and will take further decisions if needed.

If GRAP-3 is enforced, some major restrictions would apply, such as:

  • Ban on private BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel cars

  • Ban on non-essential construction work

  • Primary school classes shifting to hybrid or online learning

On Sunday, several people, including many children, held a protest near India Gate over the rising pollution levels. They carried placards saying “Smog se Azadi!” and “Breathing is killing me.”
One child’s message read: “I want to stay in Delhi with my friends and go to school! Help us breathe.”

A protester said, "This is a health emergency, not a blame game. Trial-and-error has failed our children. The government must deliver a clean-air policy now."

Police later detained some demonstrators. An officer said the protest had no permission, and the step was taken to maintain law and order and ensure security.