Delhi Activates Emergency Pollution Protocol
Stage II controls begin after air quality hits 377, ahead of Diwali restrictions and new Supreme Court rulings on firecrackers.
By Charlotte Dubois ·
Delhi authorities activated Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan on Wednesday, 4 November, after the city recorded an air quality index of 377.
The reading places the capital in the very poor category as winter approaches. Officials cited forecasts indicating that such conditions would persist for several days. This triggered the emergency framework, which imposes progressively stricter controls as pollution levels rise.
Immediate measures include intensified road cleaning and higher parking fees to discourage private car use. The Delhi Metro added 20 weekday train trips to expand public transport options. Government offices were instructed to stagger working hours to reduce traffic congestion.
The recent deterioration followed Delhi’s cleanest October in eight years, a period defined by the month’s average index. Experts attributed the reversal to lower temperatures, weak winds, and increased crop residue burning in Punjab and Haryana. While rain and a recent storm dispersed earlier pollution, northwesterly winds subsequently carried agricultural smoke toward the capital. Vehicle exhaust and industrial emissions also contribute to the annual winter pollution affecting northern India.
The Indian pollution watchdog classifies index readings from 301 to 400 as very poor. The metric covers eight pollutants, including PM2.5, particles roughly 30 times smaller than a human hair. These fine particles can reach deep into the lungs, causing respiratory issues and aggravating existing illnesses, particularly in children and the elderly.
Diwali celebrations will further impact air quality through the release of fine particles and harmful gases from lamps and fireworks. Last year, toxic haze followed the festival despite court orders for less-polluting firecrackers. On Monday, the Supreme Court permitted certified green firecrackers in Delhi and neighboring areas for a limited period. Their use is restricted to 06:00 to 07:00 and 20:00 to 22:00 on 7 and 8 November. Fireworks are prohibited within 300 meters of hospitals, care homes, schools, and other silence zones.
Green firecrackers contain modified chemical formulations designed to reduce emissions. They must display QR codes for manufacturer and certification verification. The Supreme Court noted that conventional crackers had been sold as green products during previous bans. Police will patrol designated sales areas, conduct random QR-code inspections, and seize illegal fireworks. Meanwhile, Mumbai saw its air quality improve to a satisfactory index of 89 on Wednesday after nearly two weeks of smog.
