Delhi Air Quality turns severe; Sirsa blames Punjab stubble burning for pollution spike

New Delhi:- Delhi’s air quality deteriorated sharply today, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) touching 482 at 8:01 AM, placing the national capital in the severe category. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), seven monitoring stations across the city recorded AQI levels above 400. Punjabi Bagh recorded the highest AQI of 446, followed by Narela at 434, Rohini at 431 and RK Puram at 416.

Meanwhile, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa has blamed stubble burning in Punjab for the deterioration in air quality. During his visit to the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) at Shastri Park, Mr Sirsa claimed that more than 580 incidents of stubble burning were recorded in Punjab on November 3 alone.

The Minister said Delhi’s AQI was 60 on October 30, which rose to 117 the following day. Questioning the sudden deterioration in air quality, he said there had been no fresh construction activity or significant increase in polluting vehicles and industries in the national capital during this period.

Mr Sirsa further claimed that, according to data provided by the Punjab government, nearly 70 per cent of paddy harvesting had been completed. He accused Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of misleading people over the commencement of paddy harvesting in the state.

CAQM ने डिप्टी कमिश्नर और SSP को तलब करके कहा है, आपके यहां पर आगजनी हो रही है Why shouldn’t you be held responsible?@BJP4Punjab pic.twitter.com/dWs157bzY3

— Manjinder Singh Sirsa (@mssirsa) November 5, 2026

Citing pollution levels in Punjab, the Delhi Environment Minister claimed that the AQI in Bathinda had crossed 1,100, while Talwandi Sabo had recorded levels above 1,000.

According to the latest available satellite data from the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, 467 farm-fire incidents were detected across six states on November 4. Punjab accounted for 151 incidents, while Madhya Pradesh recorded the highest number at 157.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has issued show-cause notices to deputy commissioners and senior superintendents of police in nine Punjab districts over their failure to prevent stubble burning.

Meanwhile, Stage-II restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) remain in force across Delhi-NCR. The authorities have intensified road cleaning, water sprinkling and dust-control measures to contain pollution.

The Air Quality Early Warning System has forecast that Delhi’s air quality could remain in the severe category over the coming days due to unfavourable meteorological conditions and the accumulation of pollutants