Overview

• Delhi’s overall AQI stood around 333–339 on Monday morning, placing the city in the very poor category with most of 38 stations above 300.
• Hotspots entered the severe range, including Akshardham near 411 and Anand Vihar around 411–417, with Wazirpur also crossing 400.
• CAQM imposed GRAP Stage II across NCR, tightening checks at construction sites, restricting diesel generator use, raising parking fees, and limiting entry of interstate buses to EVs, CNG or BS‑VI diesel.
• The Centre’s Decision Support System attributed about 68% of Sunday’s PM2.5 to cross‑boundary NCR sources, with stubble burning contributing roughly 2–3% so far.
• Green firecrackers were allowed in limited time windows by the Supreme Court from Oct 18–21, and agencies warned air quality is likely to worsen to severe on Tuesday.