Delhi AQI turns Severe as ITO records 406, smog blankets capital

Air quality across the national capital continued to deteriorate on Monday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) slipping into the ‘Severe’ category in several parts of Delhi amid a thick blanket of smog that significantly reduced visibility during the early morning hours.According to data shared by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the ITO monitoring station recorded an AQI of 406 at around 4:20 am, placing it in the ‘Severe’ category. A thick layer of smog engulfed several areas, including Inderlok, with visibility considerably impaired.Several other key locations in the national capital continued to experience ‘Very Poor’ air quality. Rajiv Chowk recorded an AQI of 381 at around 1:30 am, while South Extension registered an AQI of 360 at around 4 am.Amid the worsening pollution crisis, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Manoj Jha on Sunday questioned both the Centre and the Delhi government over their preparedness to tackle the recurring problem, asking what concrete measures had been taken throughout the year. Referring to the BJP's ‘triple-engine’ government, Jha said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah should also be held accountable for the pollution situation instead of placing the entire responsibility on the Delhi Chief Minister.Speaking to ANI, the RJD MP said, “You wanted a triple-engine government, here it is. Shouldn't the Prime Minister and Amit Shah be questioned? I won't blame the Delhi CM alone.” Jha further criticised the recurring approach to tackling pollution, warning that the issue would be forgotten once the weather changed, only to resurface during the next winter.“In another month or two, rains will come, and everyone will forget the issue. But next October-November, the same questions will return, and stubble burning will once again become the easiest excuse,” he said.Questioning the lack of year-round planning, Jha said the responsibility of preparing and implementing an action plan rested with the government and not the opposition.“What preparations have you made throughout the year to tackle this situation? This is not the opposition's job. The opposition will raise questions, demand debates and bring the issue to Zero Hour, but who will prepare and implement the action plan? Is that the opposition's responsibility?” he asked.Meanwhile, Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra launched an attack on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, alleging that a campaign was being orchestrated from the latter's residence to target Diwali and Sanatan Dharma under the pretext of pollution.In a post on X, Mishra claimed that leaders and paid celebrities would be deployed to push a targeted narrative against the Hindu festival. His remarks came amid worsening air quality in Delhi and heightened concerns over pollution during the festive period.Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is currently in force across Delhi-NCR as authorities continue to grapple with deteriorating air quality.- Ends