N※N

Delhi NCR Air Quality Slips into Severe Category with AQI Exceeding 400

  //business-finance.news-articles.net/content/202 .. into-severe-category-with-aqi-exceeding-400.html
  Published in Business and Finance on Friday, November 28th 2025 at 3:22 GMT by Zee Business
      Locale: INDIA

Delhi NCR’s Air Quality Deteriorates to “Severe” Levels – AQI Rises Above 400 in Key Regions

The Indian capital region has once again slipped into a state of dire air quality, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded today showing values that cross the “Severe” threshold in several key cities across Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad and other parts of the National Capital Region (NCR). According to data published by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and collated by the news portal ZeeBiz, the average AQI for the metropolis reached 423, while satellite‑based monitoring indicates that a large swathe of the NCR is battling pollution levels above 400 – a figure that translates into an “Extremely Poor” air quality rating under the Indian National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).

The Numbers That Matter

• Delhi – 423 (Severe)
• Noida – 410 (Severe)
• Ghaziabad – 398 (Very Poor)
• Faridabad – 382 (Very Poor)
• Meerut – 374 (Very Poor)

These figures are derived from a network of 45 real‑time monitoring stations spread across the region, each measuring particulate matter (PM₁₀, PM₂.₅), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and ozone (O₃). The high AQI readings are predominantly driven by a combination of vehicular exhaust, industrial emissions, construction dust, and, for the first time in a long while, a spike in burning of crop residues in the surrounding plains.

The CPCB’s daily AQI report, which can be accessed via the “Real‑Time AQI” page on the official CPCB website, further breaks down the values into categories that reflect health risk levels:

With 23 stations reporting “Severe” or “Extremely Poor” readings today, the region is currently in the most dangerous category for most of its population.

Why the Spike? A Multi‑Faceted Cause

1. Vehicular Emissions – Delhi’s notorious traffic congestion, combined with an ever‑increasing number of motor vehicles, contributes significantly to nitrogen oxides and particulate matter in the atmosphere.

2. Industrial & Construction Dust – The NCR’s rapid urban development has seen a surge in construction sites that release large amounts of PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀.

3. Crop Residue Burning – In late winter and early spring, farmers across Haryana and Uttar Pradesh burn their stubble, releasing a massive plume of smoke that can drift into the capital.

4. Seasonal Weather Patterns – Low wind speeds and temperature inversions during the monsoon break keep pollutants trapped near the surface.

The CPCB’s linked “Seasonal Analysis of PM₂.₅ Levels” article (accessible via the “Insights” tab on the CPCB site) explains how such meteorological conditions exacerbate the concentration of pollutants.

Government Measures and Public Response

In response to the alarming readings, the Delhi government has invoked Section 3 of the “Curbing Air Pollution in Delhi and the NCR” (CAP-D) Act, placing a city‑wide “traffic ban” on all vehicles over a certain engine size on Sundays and public holidays. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has also increased the monitoring of industrial discharges and announced a temporary “Ban on Open Burning” in agricultural districts.

Health advisories issued by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) recommend that vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and people with respiratory conditions avoid outdoor activities and use air purifiers or masks rated for PM₂.₅.

A “Citizen’s Air Quality App”, available through the Indian government’s “Swachh Bharat” portal, has been updated to reflect the new readings and offers personalized health recommendations based on user location.

What This Means for Delhi’s Long‑Term Vision

Delhi has long been flagged by the World Health Organization as one of the world’s most polluted capitals. The 2023–2024 AQI trend, highlighted in a recent World Air Quality Index dashboard (linked from the original ZeeBiz article), shows a consistent rise in “Very Poor” and “Severe” days, especially during the winter months when industrial activity peaks and meteorological conditions are less favorable for pollutant dispersion.

The city’s “Master Plan 2030” acknowledges air quality as a core component of sustainable development. The plan calls for increased public transport capacity, incentives for electric vehicles, stringent building standards to limit dust emission, and a nationwide policy to curb crop residue burning. The current spike in AQI serves as a stark reminder that these measures must be enforced more rigorously and that public awareness campaigns need to be amplified.

Takeaway

• Severe AQI: Delhi NCR’s average AQI today has surged past 400, placing the region in the most hazardous category for health.
• Key Drivers: Traffic congestion, industrial dust, crop residue burning, and seasonal weather combine to amplify pollution.
• Government Response: Traffic bans, stricter industrial discharge checks, and open‑burn bans are already underway.
• Public Impact: Vulnerable populations are advised to stay indoors, use filtration devices, and follow government advisories.
• Long‑Term Outlook: Without sustained policy enforcement and behavioral changes, Delhi’s air quality trajectory will remain precarious.

For readers seeking deeper data, the CPCB’s “Daily AQI Report” is publicly accessible and offers a granular look at pollution metrics across all 45 stations. The “Air Quality Index (AQI) Dashboard” on the WHO website provides global context, while the MoEFCC’s “National Air Quality Strategy” outlines the country’s long‑term commitments to reducing air pollution.

In sum, Delhi NCR’s current air quality crisis underscores the urgency for coordinated action across governmental agencies, industry stakeholders, and the citizenry to bring the region’s AQI down to safer levels and safeguard public health for years to come.