Delhi's air quality plummets to 'very poor' as Stage 2 restrictions kick in

Delhi's air quality deteriorated sharply on November 2, with the Air Quality Index climbing to 324 by 4 p.m., up significantly from 261 recorded the previous day. The reading represents the first time this winter season that the capital has slipped into the 'very poor' category, triggering stricter pollution control measures.

In response, the Delhi and neighbouring state governments invoked Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan, a set of escalating measures designed to combat severe air pollution. The measures target transportation, widely recognised as a major contributor to the capital's winter smog.

Key interventions announced include enhanced vehicle parking fees across the NCR to discourage private vehicle use, alongside the introduction of staggered working hours for government offices and municipal bodies. The Delhi Metro will bolster services with 20 additional trips on weekdays to provide commuters with viable public transport alternatives.

The spike in pollution levels coincides with the onset of winter, when meteorological conditions—including lower temperatures and reduced wind speed—trap pollutants closer to the ground. Experts attribute the deterioration to a combination of local emissions, stubble burning in neighbouring states, and unfavourable weather patterns.