Pollution alert: Multiple Delhi zones record AQI above 400 on Diwali

The festive atmosphere of Diwali was marred by an alarming surge in air pollution across Delhi and the National Capital Region. The combined Air Quality Index (AQI) for the capital was logged at 384, placing it in the "very poor" category. Monitoring data released by the central pollution board indicated that eleven of the twenty‑three active stations reported AQI levels surpassing 400, a threshold that triggers a "severe" pollution warning.

The most impacted area was Punjabi Bagh, where the AQI reached a staggering 450. RK Puram followed with 449, and the IIT Delhi campus recorded 446. Other hotspots included Dwarka (444), the Central Road Research Institute on Mathura Road (425) and Sirifort (423).

The remaining twelve stations fell within the 301‑400 AQI band, still deemed "very poor." Key readings comprised Chandni Chowk (423), Pusa (415), North Campus of Delhi University (423), Burari Crossing (411) and NSUT Jafrabad (409). Additional locations such as Narela (399), ITO (396) and Mandir Marg (393) also showed troubling levels. Smaller neighbourhoods like Talkatora Garden and Aya Nagar each posted 369, while Burari (370) and Uttam Nagar (373) remained in the very poor range.

Areas with marginally better figures, such as Anand Vihar (328) and Vasundhara Enclave (356), were still classified as very poor. Nearby districts Tikri Kalan, Badarpur (both 349), Karala (337) and Lodhi Road (333) completed the picture of a city engulfed in severe smog on the day of celebration.