As the vibrant celebrations of Diwali wind down, a grim reality sets in across Rajasthan. A thick blanket of smog now covers the skies, signaling a sharp rise in air pollution. Major cities are grappling with deteriorating air quality, painting a concerning picture for residents.
The Central Pollution Control Board reports Rajasthan’s overall Air Quality Index at 243. This places the state firmly in the poor category, raising health concerns for millions.
Bhiwadi emerges as the most affected area with an AQI of 318. Other cities follow closely with similarly worrying numbers.
Ajmer Civil Lines recorded 228, while Kota reached 227. Udaipur registered 220, all falling within the poor range. The widespread nature of this pollution highlights a regional issue.
Baran reported 207, Hanumangarh 253, Bikaner 231, and Churu 220. These consistent poor readings show this isn’t isolated to urban centers alone.
The problem extends beyond Rajasthan’s borders. Mumbai recorded 214, Patna 224, Jaipur 231, and Lucknow 222. All these cities share the poor air quality designation.
Some southern cities fare better. Bengaluru’s AQI was 94, Chennai’s 153, and Hyderabad’s 107. The regional variation suggests localized factors at play.
In Maharashtra, Mumbai’s Dadar beach witnessed a thin layer of smog. This visual confirmation underscores the tangible nature of the pollution problem.
The CPCB categorizes AQI levels for public understanding. Zero to fifty is good, fifty-one to one hundred satisfactory. One hundred one to two hundred is moderate, while two hundred one to three hundred qualifies as poor.
Three hundred one to four hundred is very poor, and four hundred one to five hundred severe. These categories help communicate risk levels effectively.
Very poor air quality causes breathing discomfort for most people. Severe levels can affect even healthy individuals and worsen existing conditions. The health implications are significant and immediate.
New Delhi faces an even grimmer situation. The capital woke to dense smog with air quality deteriorating to very poor levels. Several areas recorded severe pollution readings.
Delhi’s overall AQI stood at 350 according to CPCB data. Bawana recorded 423, Jahangirpuri 407, and Wazirpur 408. These severe levels pose serious health risks.
Other Delhi areas show consistent very poor conditions. Anand Vihar recorded 358, Ashok Vihar 389, and Burari Crossing 399. The widespread nature suggests comprehensive measures are needed.
Chandani Chowk registered 350, IGI Airport Terminal 3 reached 302. ITO recorded 342, Lodhi Road 322, and Mundka 366. The pollution affects all parts of the city equally.
Najafgarh reported 336, Narela 358, Patparganj 342 and Punjabi Bagh 376. These numbers indicate a persistent air quality crisis across the capital region.
Ahead of Diwali, the Supreme Court had modified its fireworks ban. The court permitted green fireworks with certain conditions in the national capital. This aimed to balance tradition with environmental concerns.
The Commission for Air Quality Management took proactive measures. They imposed Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan in the National Capital Region. This immediate action sought to mitigate the pollution impact.
The air quality situation remains fluid across affected regions. Monitoring continues as authorities assess the full scope of the pollution challenge.