Delhi’s 10 Most Polluted Areas Post-Diwali: Check who tops the list

Delhi awoke on the morning following Diwali to a smog-induced air-quality emergency, as blanket smog and suspended particulate matter took the city’s composite Air Quality Index (AQI) to approximately 350 by 8 a.m. Monday morning, pushing the majority of Delhi monitoring stations into the “severe” or “very poor” categories.

The official list released today names the ten worst-affected localities in the capital, highlighting the extent to which the city’s festivity-driven emissions have accumulated throughout the early winter months.

The ten most-polluted localities as of Monday morning:

Severe zones

– Bawana, north west Delhi: 427 (Highest in city) [Severe]
– Wazirpur: 408 [Severe]
– Alipur: 408 [Severe]
– Jahangirpuri: 407 [Severe]
– Burari Crossing: 402 [Severe]

Very Poor

– Shadipur: 399 [Very Poor]
– Ashok Vihar: 391 [Very Poor]
– Punjabi Bagh: 376 [Very Poor]
– Sonia Vihar: 374 [Very Poor]
– Vivek Vihar: 374 [Very Poor]

Other areas of concern

-ITO: 347 [Very Poor]

-North Campus: 363 [Very Poor]

-Anand Vihar: 360 [Very Poor]

-Lodhi Road: 327 [Very Poor]

-Around Indira Gandhi International Airport: 313 [Very Poor]

The underlying causes and policy framework

The dramatic decline in air quality comes despite the city being placed at Stage 2 of the Graded Action Response Plan (GARP) over the weekend, which activated restrictions on certain polluting activities in anticipation of the festival. However, the combined effects of winter inversion, fire-cracker pollution during Diwali, vehicular traffic, construction dust, and localised burning pushed PM2.5 levels at several locations to nearly 29 times the allowable limit.

The implications for citizens

Citizens throughout Delhi should take note: with AQI levels reaching such heights, vulnerable populations – especially children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions – face a higher risk of health complications. Wearing masks, limiting outdoor activities and reducing exposure are recommended precautions.

The readings are also a stark reminder of the way in which Delhi’s festive celebrations compound upon a structural air pollution burden, creating annual spikes throughout the winter season.

What to watch for

Unless swift measures are taken, including stricter enforcement of fire-cracker prohibitions, better traffic and dust management, and more green buffer zones, this annual post-Diwali air-quality collapse is likely to persist. The battle against pollution in the city is a high-stakes long-term struggle.

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