Delhi woke up to another day of suffocating smog on Saturday, with the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) plunging deep into the “severe” category despite emergency restrictions under Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). As visibility dipped and medical complaints surged, the national capital continued to battle one of its toughest pollution phases of the season.
At 8 am, Ashok Vihar reported an alarming AQI of 426, as per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data. The 24-hour average AQI stood at 387, placing most regions of Delhi in the “very poor” to “severe” bracket. Residents reported irritation in eyes, breathing discomfort, and worsening of asthma and other respiratory problems.
The CPCB categorizes AQI levels as:
0–50: Good
51–100: Satisfactory
101–200: Moderate
201–300: Poor
301–400: Very Poor
401–500: Severe
With pollution soaring, the IMD has simultaneously issued cold-wave alerts for northern regions, warning that stagnant winds may trap pollutants closer to the ground, further deteriorating air quality.
Centre Plans Dust Sensors Across NCR for Real-Time Monitoring
In a renewed effort to fight extreme pollution, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) is evaluating a proposal to install dust sensors on major roads across Delhi and NCR. Road dust remains one of the largest contributors to PM2.5 and PM10 pollution.
The proposed sensors will:
●Provide real-time dust concentration data
●Identify pollution hotspots
●Trigger targeted actions like mechanised sweeping and water sprinkling
●Support implementation of GRAP restrictions
●Help enforce construction bans and detect violations
●Aid long-term road improvement planning
Officials say the system will strengthen Delhi’s pollution surveillance and help the city respond faster and more accurately.
Top 5 Cleanest AQI Cities in India (as per recent national trends)
(These cities often record “Good” or “Satisfactory” AQI most days)
1. Kollam, Kerala – Known for consistently clean coastal air
2. Satna, Madhya Pradesh – Low population density, strong green cover
3. Aizawl, Mizoram – Hills + strong civic discipline
4. Kannur, Kerala – Good wind flow, minimal industrial load
5. Kohima, Nagaland – Clean, green, high-altitude air
Top 5 Cleanest Air Cities in the World (according to global air quality indexes)
1. Zurich, Switzerland – One of the world’s best for urban clean air
2. Reykjavik, Iceland – Powered by geothermal and renewable energy
3. Helsinki, Finland – Strict environmental policies, green planning
4. Wellington, New Zealand – Strong ocean winds + low pollution
5. Stockholm, Sweden – Clean mobility, disciplined emissions control
A City in Crisis, A System Under Pressure
Delhi’s smog crisis has once again highlighted the urgent need for coordinated action—from authorities, industries, construction bodies, and citizens. With winter just beginning, experts fear pollution levels may worsen further before improving.
As Delhi waits for relief, measures like dust sensors, mechanical sweeping, firecracker bans, and construction restrictions remain crucial. For millions living in the NCR, clean air is no longer a comfort—it’s becoming a daily battle for survival.
