Day after Diwali, Delhi chokes as AQI shoots up despite green crackers curbs
Air Quality Index 'very poor' with a reading of 352 at 8 am, according to Central Pollution Control Bureau
Visuals from near ISBT as GRAP-II measures come into effect in Delhi, October 21, 2025. Tribune photo: Mukesh Aggarwal
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Delhi residents woke up on Tuesday to heavy grey haze darkening the city skies, reduced visibility and the air quality in the 'red zone' after many celebrated Diwali last night by bursting firecrackers beyond the two-hour limit set by the Supreme Court.
According to a Central Pollution Control Bureau (CPCB) bulletin, Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) was 'very poor', with a reading of 352 at 8 am. It was 346 at 5 am, 347 at 6 am and 351 at 7 am.
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An AQI between 0 and 50 is 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.
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The CPCB's SAMEER app, which provides real-time AQI data from monitoring stations, was not updated on Tuesday morning.
The Supreme Court had allowed the use of green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR between 8 pm and 10 pm on Diwali, which was celebrated on Monday. However, many flouted the court directions, with celebrations continuing late into the night.
Most areas across the national capital reported worrying levels of pollution. At Anand Vihar, PM 2.5 was measured at 358 and PM 10 at 340, according to a report.
Wazirpur recorded an AQI of 408, crossing into the ‘severe’ category, with PM 2.5 as the major pollutant.
In RK Puram, the AQI was recorded at 368, while visuals from Dilli Haat, INA, showed thick smog reducing visibility, forcing motorists to switch on headlights during daytime hours.
Delhi's AQI stood at 349 at 12 am and 348 at 1 am, according to hourly data from the CPCB.
On Monday, 36 of the capital's 38 monitoring stations recorded pollution levels in the 'red zone', indicating 'very poor' to 'severe' air quality across the city.
Delhi's 24-hour average AQI on Monday, reported at 4 pm every day, was in the 'very poor' category at 345.
The air quality is expected to slip into the 'severe' category more widely on Tuesday and Wednesday. — with PTI
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