Overview

• Delhi’s AQI hovered around 201–211 on Tuesday, ending a 124-day run of cleaner air, with some hotspots such as Anand Vihar touching the very poor range.
• The CAQM Sub-Committee activated Stage I of the Graded Response Action Plan across Delhi-NCR, directing immediate enforcement to prevent further deterioration.
• Stage I measures include mandatory dust control at construction sites, a ban on open burning, curbs on diesel generator use, clean-fuel requirements for eateries, and checks on visibly polluting vehicles.
• Official forecasts from the EWS, IMD and IITM indicate air quality will stay poor through October 16 and likely oscillate between poor and very poor over the following days around the festival period.
• Source-attribution data show transport as the leading PM2.5 contributor (~19.6%) with stubble burning currently minimal (~0.62%), as weak winds and cooler nights trap pollutants after monsoon withdrawal.