According to SAFAR data, as of 7 am, Air Quality Index (AQI) live updates show that Delhi, Noida and Gurugram are battling very poor air quality, with AQI readings ranging between 314 to 324. Mumbai, on the other hand, according to SAFAR's 7:00 am report, air quality remains 'moderate' with AQI at 128.

In Delhi, despite the implementation of a 15-point winter action plan aimed at curbing rising pollution levels, the fight against deteriorating air quality continues. Efforts such as the 'Red Light On, Gaadi Off' campaign are in motion to counter the contribution of vehicular and biomass burning emissions to rising PM2.5 levels. Unfortunately, the haze is expected to persist with 'very poor' air quality predicted for the region from October 29 to 31, 2023.

Punjab recorded a staggering 1,068 incidents of farm fires in a single day, the highest number in the current harvesting season. According to data from Ludhiana-based Punjab Remote Sensing Centre, paddy growers are increasingly burning crop residue, with 181 incidents recorded in Sangrur, followed by 155 in Firozpur, 133 in Tarn Taran, 83 in Patiala and 66 in Mansa. In comparison, 1,353 and 1,898 farm fires occurred in a single day in 2021 and 2022, respectively. From September 15 to October 29, a total of 5,254 incidents of farm fires were recorded in the state, a significant decline of 57 per cent compared to the same period last year, when there were 12,112 such cases.

According to SAFAR-India, Delhi's overall air quality index (AQI) is 322, which classifies it as 'very poor'. Notably, as per SAFAR 7 am data, AQI readings were recorded at 354 at Delhi University, 314 at IIT Delhi, 342 at the airport (T3), 324 at Noida and 314 at Gurugram.

Senior Aam Aadmi Party leader and national spokesperson Reena Gupta has criticized the central government, alleging that the entire North India is struggling with air pollution, yet there is no concrete action plan to control it. During a press conference, Gupta said that people in North India are troubled by air pollution and the central government's decision to shut down the SAFAR website on October 24 is surprising. They claim that a significant portion of Delhi's air pollution, about 70 per cent, originates from outside Delhi, the majority of which is attributed to states under BJP rule.