Delhi Air pollution stayed in the “very poor” zone as rising farm fires in Punjab and Haryana compounded stagnant winds; the Supreme Court demanded action while doctors warned residents to avoid outdoor exertion.
Delhi Air Pollution Deteriorates as Farm Fires Surge Across Punjab and Haryana
A suffocating haze once again gripped Delhi and the wider NCR as the Air Quality Index (AQI) climbed into the very poor band, driven by fresh farm fires in Punjab and Haryana and unfavourable weather that trapped pollutants over the capital. The CPCB reported Delhi’s AQI jumped to 366 on Sunday before easing to 316 on Monday.
Crop-stubble burning in neighbouring states remains a major contributor. Punjab recorded 178 new farm-fire incidents on Sunday, taking the season tally to 2,262, with districts such as Tarn Taran (444) and Sangrur (406) among the worst-affected. Local authorities in Punjab have filed punitive cases and levied environmental compensation.
The Supreme Court intervened on Monday, sharply criticising the reactive approach and directing the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to file an affidavit detailing steps taken to prevent deterioration. The bench flagged that authorities often wait until pollution becomes “severe” before implementing measures.
