On Monday morning, Delhi recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 346 at around 6:05 am, a slight improvement from 391 the previous day but still firmly in the “very poor” to “severe” category. Across many monitoring stations, pollution levels remain well above safe thresholds, making the air effectively unsafe for prolonged outdoor exposure.

Despite this, the city’s anti-smog committee (a sub-panel of the CAQM) decided not to call in Stage-III of the GRAP, which triggers the strictest set of emergency measures—such as heavy vehicle curbs, construction bans and shutdown orders. The decision reportedly hinges on weather forecasts, which suggested a slight dip and the possibility of better dispersion conditions in the coming hours.

Experts caution that the minor relief is misleading: the inhaled air is still laden with fine-particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and carries acute health risks, especially for children, elderly and those with respiratory or cardiac conditions. Road traffic, dust, industrial emissions and stagnant weather continue feeding the pollution load. Residents are advised to limit outdoor activity, wear appropriate masks (like N95/KN95) if venturing out, and use indoor air purifiers where possible. The seasonal trend suggests this critical phase of air quality may persist until meteorological patterns shift or enforcement steps become more robust.