Delhiites were greeted with ‘choking air’ on Diwali morning (October 20) as pollution levels surged, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) touching 417 in Anand Vihar, entering the “severe” category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Authorities warned that post-Diwali fireworks and stagnant weather could worsen the situation further. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta urged citizens to burst only ‘green crackers’. Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) was enforced on Sunday evening (October 19) after air quality in Delhi-NCR deteriorated to “very poor”. Stage I measures had been in force since October 14.By Monday, other areas recorded alarming AQI readings: New Delhi at 367, Vijay Nagar (Ghaziabad) 348, Noida 341, Noida Sector 1 344, and Gurugram 283. T

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