New Delhi

Delhi began Saturday under a dense blanket of hazardous smog, sharply reducing visibility and once again exposing residents to unhealthy air conditions. The city’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 380 around 7 am, placing it firmly in the ‘very poor’ category, as per data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). In several locations, pollution levels deteriorated further into the ‘severe’ range.

Multiple areas across the capital continued to report critically high AQI readings. CPCB data showed Sarai Kale Khan and Anand Vihar registering AQI levels of 428, while Akshardham stood at 420. The ITO area recorded an AQI of 429, Ashok Vihar 407, and Rao Tularam Marg 403. The Barapullah flyover area also remained heavily polluted with an AQI reading of 380.

With air quality worsening across vast stretches of the city, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has enforced all restrictions under Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR. These measures include a halt on non-essential construction activities, restrictions on the movement of certain diesel vehicles, and stricter enforcement to limit pollution sources.

As per AQI standards, readings between 0–50 are classified as ‘good’, 51–100 as ‘satisfactory’, 101–200 ‘moderate’, 201–300 ‘poor’, 301–400 ‘very poor’, and 401–500 ‘severe’.

Earlier, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa carried out surprise inspections at multiple petrol pumps, including those located at the Delhi-Gurugram border and Janpath, to assess compliance with the ‘No PUC, No Fuel’ rule. During his interactions with fuel station staff, the minister urged them to strictly enforce the directive while maintaining politeness and calm with commuters.

“You are the first point of contact in this campaign. Please cooperate with citizens and explain that this initiative is aimed at protecting their health and the health of their children,” Sirsa told pump operators. He also instructed officials to ensure proper signage, public announcements, and effective queue management.

Addressing vehicle owners at the sites, the minister emphasised that the initiative was not about penalties but about public health. “This is not about challans; it is about clean air. Every valid PUCC issued today is a small step forward in the fight against pollution,” he said.

On December 17, authorities issued 29,938 Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCCs) across the city. By 5.20 pm on December 18, another 31,974 certificates had been issued, taking the total to over 61,000 within a single day. Officials expect the numbers to rise further as more vehicle owners comply before refuelling.

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Sirsa noted that the surge in PUCC issuance reflects growing public cooperation. “When people believe that policies are framed in the larger public interest, they respond positively. Over 60,000 PUCCs in one day shows citizens are standing with us in this fight,” he said.