New Delhi: The air quality in the national capital remains at a severe level as the Air Quality Index (AQI) crosses the 400 mark in most areas. On Thursday morning, the overall AQI of Delhi remained at 398, which is close to the hazardous category. The minimum temperature hovers around 17 degrees Celsius.
On November 14, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) enforced Stage III restrictions of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the National Capital Region, bringing wide-ranging curbs on construction, vehicles and industrial operations.
Area-wise AQI in Delhi on November 20
| Areas | AQI Level | Status |
| Alipur | 363 | Very poor |
| Anand Vihar | 411 | Severe |
| Ashok Vihar | 441 | Severe |
| Bawana | 436 | Severe |
| Burari Crossing | 418 | Severe |
| CRRI Mathura Road | 390 | Very poor |
| DTU, Delhi | 431 | Severe |
| Dwarka Sector 8 | 417 | Severe |
| IGI Airport (T3) | 382 | Very poor |
| ITO, Delhi | 398 | Very poor |
| Jahangirpuri | 451 | Severe |
| Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium | 392 | Very poor |
| Lodhi Road | 352 | Very poor |
| Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium | 365 | Very poor |
| Mundka | 449 | Severe |
| Najafgarh | 381 | Very poor |
| Narela | 386 | Very poor |
| Nehru Nagar | 429 | Severe |
| NSIT Dwarka | 323 | Very poor |
| Okhla Phase-2 | 413 | Severe |
| Patparganj | 417 | Severe |
| Punjabi Bagh | 435 | Severe |
| Pusa DPCC | 377 | Very poor |
| RK Puram | 425 | Severe |
| Rohini | 446 | Severe |
| Sirifort | 412 | Severe |
| Vivek Vihar | 434 | Severe |
| Wazipur | 476 | Severe |
AQI in dangerous category in NCR
The National Capital Region (NCR) also recorded elevated AQI levels, with Noida at 408, Gurugram at 300, Ghaziabad at 430, Greater Noida at 386, and Faridabad at 259.
The CPCB categorises the AQI as follows: 0 to 50 is considered good, 51 to 100 is satisfactory, 101 to 200 is moderate, 201 to 300 is poor, 301 to 400 is very poor, and 401 to 500 is severe. Overall, Delhi’s air quality is classified as ‘very poor,’ with many areas experiencing ‘severe’ conditions based on the AQI data from the CPCB’s Sameer app.
GRAP Stage 4: What stricter measures could impact Delhi-NCR?
If the overall AQI crosses the 400 mark, GRAP Stage 4 will be implemented, and Delhi-NCR will face the strictest pollution control measures. A complete ban on all non-essential diesel and petrol trucks entering Delhi would be enforced, except those carrying essential commodities. All construction and demolition activities, including public infrastructure projects, would be halted entirely. Schools may shift to online classes for all grades. The government could impose restrictions on private vehicle usage through an odd-even scheme or similar rationing measures. Non-essential commercial activities and offices might be asked to operate at reduced capacity or switch to work-from-home arrangements to minimise vehicular movement and outdoor exposure during hazardous air quality conditions.