Delhi chokes on Diwali eve as AQI reaches 296

The air pollution in the national capital worsened on Sunday, with the quality dropping to the ‘poor’ category on the eve of Diwali.

Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) clocked 296 on Sunday as per the 4 PM AQI bulletin provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

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People living in Delhi faced breathing discomfort due to the hazardous air as the city grappled with rising air pollution after the air quality here fell into the “poor” category.

An Air Quality Index (AQI) between zero and 50 is considered “good”; 51 and 100 “satisfactory”; 101 and 200 “moderate”; 201 and 300 “poor”; 301 and 400 “very poor”; and 401 and 500 “severe”.

According to the CPCB, the AQI, when marked under the ‘Poor’ category, can cause breathing discomfort to most people on prolonged exposure, whereas, when under the ‘Very poor’ category can cause respiratory illness on prolonged exposure.

Priyanka and Shashi, residents of Delhi, stated that pollution levels have significantly risen in recent days in the national capital. They were experiencing breathing difficulties, eye irritation, and sore throat, prompting them to wear a mask while outdoors.” Pollution has made it extremely hard to breathe,” they asserted.

As per the CPCB, the AQI around India Gate was recorded at 269, in the ‘Poor’ category, in Delhi this morning.

Water sprinklers were deployed at the India Gate to maintain the pollution levels.

According to the CPCB, the AQI around Akshardham was recorded at 426, in the ‘Severe’ category, in Delhi on Sunday morning. Meanwhile, in the morning, the AQI around ITO was recorded at 284, in the ‘Poor’ category, while the AQI around Barapulla was recorded at 290, in the ‘Poor’ category.

Meanwhile, in response to the seasonal spike in pollution that typically occurs between October and February, the Delhi government, led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, has launched a comprehensive Winter Action Plan for 2025–26. The initiative was announced by Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Thursday.

The action plan outlines 25 key measures under seven thematic areas: road dust, vehicular emissions, industrial and power sector pollution, open burning and solid waste, citizen engagement, monitoring, and green innovation. The plan will be executed in coordination with over 30 departments and agencies across the capital.