Delhi Air Quality Spikes To 'Severe' Levels Post-Diwali Despite GRAP-III Curbs

Even with one of the highest levels of restrictions activated, Delhi's air quality plunged into the 'severe' category this morning, a day after Diwali celebrations. Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is still active across the National Capital Region (NCR).Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital spiking to 483 at 8.10 am, while at least 15 monitoring stations across the city breached the 400 mark as a thick, acrid haze engulfed neighbourhoods and arterial roads.At the busy ITO intersection, where the CPCB recorded a 'severe' AQI of 407, commuters and pedestrians struggled to breathe through the dense smog, complaining of persistent headaches and burning eyes.

A few kilometres away, a thick grey curtain completely obscured the Akshardham temple from the adjacent flyover."The visibility has been impacted because of the pollution situation in Delhi. Akshardham temple is hidden behind a layer of thick haze.