Delhi AQI hits 494 in ‘one of the worst pollution episodes seen in November in recent years’; AQI 500 in some areas

November saw Delhi face one of its worst pollution episodes in recent years, with air quality reaching dangerously high levels — at one point the Air Quality Index (AQI) touched 494 and in some areas even reached 500. The concentration of fine particles (PM2.5) soared to about 354 µg/m³ — more than 20 times the safe limit recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) — while coarse particles (PM10) also far exceeded safe levels.The dangerous air quality was blamed on a mix of persistent pollution sources (vehicles, industry, dust), regional crop-residue burning, and weather conditions that trapped pollutants close to the ground. In response, authorities imposed the highest level of anti-pollution controls under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP Stage 4), banning construction, restricting older diesel vehicles and shifting many schools to online classes.

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