Climate & Environment

Delhi’s Air Quality Deteriorates to Very Poor Levels, Eight Stations Exceed 400 AQI

By Livemint

Delhi’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) rose to 331 at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, up from 307 at the same time on Monday, according to real‑time data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The city remained in the ‘very poor’ category, with PM2.5 the dominant pollutant. Of 58 monitoring stations that reported valid readings, 57 recorded AQI levels above 200 and 41 exceeded 300. Eight locations posted AQI values above 400, placing them in the ‘severe’ category. Jahangirpuri had the highest reading at 449, followed by Rohini (429) and Punjabi Bagh (424). Other stations above 400 included Alipur (413), Vivek Vihar (410), Bawana (408), Delhi Technological University (407) and Narela (406). The lowest AQI in the city was 195 at IGNOU‑Maidan Garhi. Air quality in neighbouring National Capital Region cities was also high: Noida 307, Manesar 302, Gurugram 284, Ghaziabad 259, Greater Noida 213 and Faridabad 111 (moderate). The CPCB’s national data showed Gajraula (Uttar Pradesh) as the most polluted city nationwide with an AQI of 399, followed by Delhi and Khora (331) and Kaithal (330). Several cities reported clean air, including Amaravati (18), Madikeri (19), Gangtok (23), Nayagarh (24) and Chikkamagaluru (25). The spike follows the Commission for Air Quality Management’s enforcement of Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan across Delhi‑NCR, announced after Delhi’s AQI reached 324 at 4 p.m. the previous day. The CAQM cited unfavourable weather and fire‑smoke from farm fires in Punjab and Haryana as contributing factors. Measures in place include bans on regular diesel generator use, coal‑ or firewood‑fired tandoors, reopening of construction sites, and enforcement of valid Pollution Under Control certificates for vehicles. Compliance with emission standards and anti‑pollution activities such as road sweeping and dust suppression continue across the region.