Air quality deteriorated further in several localities, slipping into the ‘severe’ range. Akshardham and Ghazipur recorded AQI levels of 438, while east Delhi’s Anand Vihar also touched the same mark, making them among the most polluted pockets of the capital. The ITO area logged an AQI of 405, categorised as ‘severe’.
Central Delhi remained shrouded in haze, with a thick layer of smog hovering over India Gate and Kartavya Path, where the AQI was recorded at 381. Around the Barapullah flyover, pollution levels stood at 382, while Dhaula Kuan recorded an AQI of 397, both falling in the ‘very poor’ category.
In response, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked all measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage-IV across Delhi-NCR. These include a ban on non-essential construction activities, restrictions on the entry of certain diesel vehicles, and stricter enforcement to curb pollution sources.
Meanwhile, parts of Uttar Pradesh reported dense fog and cold conditions. The India Meteorological Department said Ayodhya recorded a minimum temperature of 8 degrees Celsius, while Moradabad saw cold wave conditions with temperatures dipping to 10 degrees Celsius.