Delhi’s AQI crosses 400: Amitabh Kant calls for unified plan to end capital’s pollution crisis

As Delhi’s air quality declined again after Diwali, former NITI Aayog CEO and former G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant issued a strong statement, calling the situation a “health and environmental disaster”. His decision came as Delhi residents on Tuesday woke up to low visibility and air quality in the ‘red zone’ after Diwali celebrations last night.

In a post on website

Criticizing the recent developments, Kant said, “The Supreme Court in its wisdom has given priority to the right to burn crackers over the right to life and breathe.”

He added that Delhi still ranks among the most polluted capitals in the world, asking: “If Los Angeles, Beijing and London can do it, why can’t Delhi?” Kant stressed that only cruel and sustained execution could restore blue skies to the city.

He called for a unified action plan that includes ending crop and biomass burning, upgrading or shutting down thermal power plants and brick kilns, converting all modes of transport to electric vehicles by 2030, strictly enforcing construction dust control, ensuring complete segregation and processing of waste, and redesigning Delhi around green, walkable and transit-oriented living.

Only decisive and sustained implementation can restore Delhi’s air quality and make the city livable again, Kant concluded.

According to the SAMIR app developed by the Central Pollution Control Bureau (CPCB), 4 monitoring stations have reported AQI levels of more than 400, indicating ‘hazardous’ air quality. These stations included Bawana (431), Burari Crossing (404), Jahangirpuri (407) and Wazirpur (408).

According to the CPCB, Delhi’s overall AQI was “very poor” at 352 as of 8 am, 351 at 7 am, 347 at 6 am and 346 at 5 am on Tuesday. An AQI between 0 and 50 is “good”, 51 and 100 is “satisfactory”, 101 and 200 is “moderate”, 201 and 300 is “poor”, 301 and 400 is “very poor”, and 401 and 500 is “severe”.

Ahead of Diwali celebrations, the Supreme Court allowed the use of green firecrackers in Delhi-the national capital for two hours between 8 pm and 10 pm on Diwali day. However, many flouted the court’s directives as celebrations continued late into the night in many parts of the country.