Authorities in New Delhi have stepped up air pollution controls after the Air Quality Index deteriorated to a "very poor" level, while the court has issued orders to regulate fireworks during this weekend's Diwali festival.
Foreign news agencies report that the Air Quality Index (AQI) in New Delhi, India's capital, has surged beyond 300 points into the "very poor" category. On the morning of Wednesday, 4 Nov 2026, the AQI reached 377 points, posing health risks especially to children and the elderly.
Experts say the rapid deterioration in air quality is due to multiple factors: dropping temperatures and slower winds during winter, combined with increased crop stubble burning in neighboring states Punjab and Haryana. Northwestern winds carry smoke from these fires into the capital.
Delhi authorities have responded by enforcing Phase 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), including more frequent street cleaning, higher parking fees to discourage private car use, adding 20 more daily metro trips, and staggering government work hours to ease traffic congestion.
Officials and the Delhi administration explained the need to escalate and enforce Phase 2 GRAP measures because weather forecasts indicate the air quality will remain at "very poor" levels for several more days.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court of India has issued strict orders on fireworks during the upcoming Diwali festival this weekend, allowing only environmentally friendly fireworks that are certified and have verifiable QR codes.
Additionally, the court set specific times and banned zones for fireworks use: allowed only from 06:00–07:00 and 20:00–22:00 on 7–8 November, with a 300-meter ban near hospitals, elderly care homes, and schools. Police are instructed to randomly check QR codes and immediately confiscate illegal fireworks.
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Source:bbc