Delhi’s air quality slipped into the severe category on Monday as the AQI hit 406 at ITO. A thick layer of smog covered the city, reducing visibility early in the morning. Authorities started Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan to help control the worsening pollution across the capital.
New Delhi: Air quality across the national capital continued to deteriorate, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) entering the 'Severe' category in parts of Delhi during the early hours of Monday, according to data shared by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
A thick layer of smog engulfed several parts of the city, significantly reducing visibility during the early morning hours, including in the Inderlok area.
According to CPCB data, the air quality monitoring station at ITO recorded an alarming AQI of 406 at around 4:20 am, placing it in the 'Severe' category.
Meanwhile, several other key areas of the capital continued to experience 'Very Poor' air quality.
Rajiv Chowk recorded an AQI of 381 at 1:30 am, while the area around South Extension registered an AQI of 360 at 4:00 am.
Meanwhile, Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra launched a sharp attack on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, alleging that a campaign was being orchestrated at Kejriwal's residence to target the Hindu festival of Diwali and Sanatan Dharma under the pretext of pollution.
In a post on X, Mishra claimed that leaders and paid celebrities would be brought in to promote a targeted narrative.
Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is currently in force across Delhi-NCR to tackle the worsening air pollution.