A toxic shroud has enveloped the National Capital Region, with air pollution shattering multi-day records on January 19. Delhi’s AQI has rocketed into severe territory, hovering near 500 in spots, while Noida and Ghaziabad grapple with equally dire levels.
Delhi’s monitoring data reveals the extent of the emergency: Anand Vihar at 461, Ashok Vihar 471, Chandni Chowk 454, Jahangirpuri 468, Rohini 471, Vivek Vihar 472, Wazirpur 473, Bawana 442, ITO 430, R.K. Puram 439, Sonia Vihar 467, and Mandir Marg 371. IGI Airport T3 reported 339, signaling widespread peril.
Adjacent cities are reeling too. Noida’s Sector-62 logged 375, Sector-1 439, Sector-116 422. Ghaziabad saw Indirapuram at 433, Loni spiking to 476, Sanjay Nagar 389, and Vasundhara 457. The India Meteorological Department attributes this to thick fog, moderate visibility issues ahead, high moisture, and low wind speeds that keep pollutants suspended.
Triggering Stage-4 GRAP measures, officials have ramped up vehicle inspections at borders, impounded high emitters, and suspended construction. ‘The NCR resembles a gas chamber,’ noted one expert, cautioning prolonged stagnation without meteorological relief.
Public advisories emphasize minimal outdoor activity, mandatory masks, and extra care for kids and seniors. As winter’s grip tightens, this pollution surge demands immediate, coordinated interventions from all stakeholders.