NCR Swallowed by Smog: 50% Remote Work Mandated as AQI Plummets

The air quality across Delhi-NCR has plummeted to ‘very poor’ levels, with the average Air Quality Index (AQI) standing at 363, cloaked in a thick, hazardous smog. In response to the deteriorating conditions, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has enforced Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage-III. This critical stage requires government and private offices to operate with only half their workforce present, while mandating that the remaining employees work from home. This measure aims to reduce vehicular emissions and overall activity contributing to pollution. Several areas within Delhi are experiencing severe air quality, with Anand Vihar surpassing an AQI of 400, reaching the ‘Severe’ category. Other localities like Wazirpur and Punjabi Bagh are also reporting dangerously high levels. Visibility has significantly diminished across the region, affecting commuters and daily life. The pollution crisis extends to the NCR, with cities like Noida (456), Ghaziabad (454), and Faridabad (444) facing some of the highest AQI readings. Health experts are issuing stark warnings about the immediate health impacts, including respiratory irritation and the exacerbation of chronic lung conditions. The possibility of atmospheric dust from Ethiopia’s recent volcanic activity is also being considered as a contributing factor, though its precise impact is still under assessment. Public discontent led to a protest at India Gate, which was subsequently handled by law enforcement. The weather forecast predicts continued cold and foggy mornings, with daytime temperatures around 24°C, and fog expected to persist until late November. The alarming levels of PM2.5 (294 µg/m³) and PM10 (396 µg/m³) are a stark reminder of the severe pollution crisis gripping the region.