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Delhi-NCR Air Quality Plunges into 'Very Poor' Range, AQI Reaches 450

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  Published in Business and Finance on Tuesday, December 2nd 2025 at 3:32 GMT by Zee Business

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Delhi‑NCR Air Quality Deteriorates Again – AQI Plunges to “Very Poor” in Multiple Zones

The Delhi‑NCR region, encompassing the national capital Delhi and its satellite cities (Noida, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, and surrounding areas), has once again seen a sharp uptick in air pollution, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) slipping into the “very poor” range on several monitoring stations. The latest readings, released by the Delhi Air Quality Management Authority (DAQMA), show AQI values ranging from 350 to 450 in key hotspots—well above the World Health Organization’s (WHO) threshold for severe health risk.

Key Findings from the Latest DAQMA Report

The report, published at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, notes that the spike is most pronounced in the northern and eastern corridors of the NCR. In particular, the Kashmere Gate area—one of the busiest junctions in Delhi—recorded the highest AQI value, pushing the city into a state of emergency for air quality.

What Drives the Surge?

DAQMA’s analysis attributes the spike to a combination of seasonal meteorological conditions and anthropogenic activities:

1. Low Wind Speeds and Temperature Inversions
   - Winter months often see temperature inversions that trap pollutants close to the ground. The current forecast from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts a persistent inversion layer until the middle of next week.

2. Increased Vehicular Emissions
   - Delhi has not yet fully implemented its “odd‑even” vehicle rotation scheme, and many commuters continue to use private cars, contributing to higher particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen oxides (NOx).

3. Construction Dust & Coal‑Burning Industries
   - The construction boom in Gurgaon and Noida has released large volumes of dust. In the industrial belts of Faridabad and Ghaziabad, coal‑burning units continue to emit sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and particulate matter.

4. Cross‑Border Crop Burning
   - Farmers in Punjab and Haryana have begun burning crop residue in early September, a practice that has historically worsened Delhi’s air quality during the monsoon‑transition period.

5. Natural Dust from the Thar Desert
   - Sporadic dust storms from the western desert have added fine particles to the atmosphere, compounding the pollution load.

Health Impact & Government Advisory

The Health Ministry has issued a “very strong caution” for vulnerable populations—children, pregnant women, and people with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions—to reduce outdoor exposure. The Ministry recommends:

• Wearing N95 masks when venturing outdoors.
• Using air purifiers with HEPA filters inside homes and offices.
• Limiting physical exertion in high‑AQI zones.
• Monitoring AQI via the official DAQMA portal or the Delhi Air Quality Dashboard (linked in the article).

The Ministry’s statement echoes WHO guidelines, which classify PM2.5 concentrations above 80 µg/m³ as “unacceptable.” The current AQI in several areas indicates PM2.5 levels exceeding 250 µg/m³, far surpassing safe limits.

Government Measures & Upcoming Actions

DAQMA has announced a series of short‑term measures aimed at curbing emissions:

• Temporary bans on heavy vehicles from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in the most affected zones.
• Restriction on construction activity between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. to limit dust dispersion.
• Deployment of mobile monitoring stations to identify localized pollution hotspots.
• Coordination with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for emergency response.

In addition, the Delhi Chief Minister’s Office will meet with industry representatives to discuss the implementation of stricter emission standards for coal‑fired power plants.

Weather Forecast & Outlook

The IMD’s latest forecast, cited in the article, projects:

• Cooler temperatures (15–18 °C) with mild breezes of 4–6 km/h in the next 48 hours.
• Increasing cloud cover over the northern plains, which could trap pollutants.
• Potential for a dust storm from the Thar Desert in the coming week, raising concerns for further particulate spikes.

Experts advise that the situation may improve only after mid‑September when agricultural burning subsides and the monsoon begins to influence local wind patterns.

How to Stay Updated

• DAQMA Live Dashboard: Real‑time AQI updates for each monitoring station.
• Delhi Pollution Control Board (DPCB) Mobile App: Push notifications for AQI alerts.
• IMD Weather Alerts: Daily weather updates and forecast for the NCR.
• Health Ministry Portal: Latest advisories on respiratory health and pollution mitigation.

Bottom Line

The Delhi‑NCR region’s air quality has slipped back into the “very poor” zone, driven by a mix of meteorological constraints and persistent anthropogenic emissions. With the health of millions at stake, authorities are rolling out emergency measures, while the public is urged to adopt protective practices until the situation stabilizes. Continued vigilance, coupled with coordinated action across government, industry, and citizens, will be essential to break the cycle of pollution that plagues the NCR during winter months.