By Jagjagran | 2 October 2026
Delhi's dreaded pollution season has arrived early. The capital's air quality has deteriorated sharply over the past week, with the AQI climbing to 166 on 1 October — the worst start to October in four years. In response, the Delhi government has unveiled its Winter Action Plan and the pollution watchdog has tightened its emergency rules.
Here's what you need to know.
THE AIR IS GETTING WORSE, FAST
Delhi's 24-hour average AQI rose from a clean 53 ("satisfactory") on 27 September to 129 on 30 September and 166 ("moderate") on 1 October.
According to CREA data, that's the worst 1 October reading since 2022. On that day, 37 of 44 monitoring stations were "moderate" and 5 were "poor."
Two factors are driving it: the monsoon withdrew from Delhi on 23 September (the earliest since 2002), and farm fires have begun — 137 were counted between 15 September and 1 October.
THE DELHI WINTER ACTION PLAN 2026-27
Unveiled on 28 September by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the plan includes:
→ A ban on dust-generating construction and demolition from 1 November to 31 January, with a complete ban from 10 December to 20 January.
→ Staggered office hours and 50% work-from-home during pollution episodes.
→ Parking charges doubled from 1 November.
→ A "No PUCC–No Fuel" drive at 500 fuel stations.
→ Air monitoring stations increased from 47 to 60, plus an AI-enabled command centre.
STRICTER GRAP RULES
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has approved a revised Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) with 48 actions.
Under the tougher Stages III and IV, BS-IV and older diesel goods vehicles will be barred from entering Delhi even if carrying essential goods. Curbs on older vehicles now extend to Sonipat. A CAQM official said: "Only vehicles running on clean fuel will be allowed to operate in Delhi."
WHAT'S AHEAD
Delhi is entering its most dangerous window, with stubble burning rising, temperatures falling, and Diwali (around 8 November) still to come. The 1 October reading is already the worst in four years — and GRAP Stage I curbs are likely to kick in within weeks.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: What is Delhi's AQI today?
A: It hit 166 ("moderate") on 1 October 2026, the worst start to October in four years.
Q: What is banned under Delhi's Winter Action Plan?
A: Dust-generating construction from 1 November, with a full construction ban from 10 December to 20 January, plus doubled parking fees and a no-PUC-no-fuel rule.
Q: Why is Delhi's air worsening now?
A: The early monsoon withdrawal, the onset of farm fires, and falling temperatures trapping pollutants.
Sources: CPCB, CREA, IMD, Deccan Herald, ANI, The Statesman, Hello Entrepreneurs.
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