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Delhi AQI Hits 440 in January Relapse as Stage IV Curbs Take Effect

Stagnant winter conditions trapped emissions, prompting emergency restrictions under GRAP.

Overview

  • CPCB logged a 4 pm citywide AQI of about 440 on Sunday, Delhi’s worst January reading since 2024, with sites such as Anand Vihar nearing 500.
  • CAQM activated Stage IV measures, halting all construction and demolition, restricting entry of higher-emitting trucks, and shifting classes up to Grade 10 to hybrid learning.
  • Forecasts indicate only a marginal easing to the very poor category on Monday, with dense fog and weak dispersion likely to keep conditions volatile.
  • IITM’s Decision Support System estimated transport as the leading local PM2.5 source at roughly 10.6%, with notable external inputs from Baghpat and Ghaziabad.
  • Experts flagged enforcement shortfalls across transport, industry, power plants, road dust and waste burning, as the Supreme Court presses for a formal source-apportionment report.