Delhi air pollution sees mild relief as AQI drops below 300; NCR still struggles

Delhi’s air quality showed slight improvement as the AQI dropped below 300, yet pollution remains in the ‘poor to very poor’ category across most areas. Strong winds helped disperse pollutants, but smog continued to affect visibility in major zones like India Gate and ITO.

Post Published By: Sona Saini

Updated : 30 November 2025, 9:14 AM IST

AQI Slips Below 300, Mild Relief for Residents

New Delhi: Delhi's air has once again become toxic. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in major areas like India Gate and Kartavya Path recorded 222, which falls in the 'poor' category. Meanwhile, the AQI in the ITO area reached 269, which is considered severe pollution. Data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has once again raised concerns among the residents of the capital.

Increasing Pollution in Winter: A Problem That Recurs Every Year

The problem of air pollution in Delhi becomes severe every year with the arrival of winter. Vehicle exhaust, dust from construction sites, industrial pollution, and stubble burning in neighboring states cause air quality to deteriorate rapidly. This year too, a thick layer of smog lingered from tourist spots to government areas in the capital, clearly demonstrating the severity of the situation.

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Strong Winds Bring Some Improvement

Delhiites found some relief on Saturday morning. Strong winds dispersed the pollutants somewhat, leading to a slight improvement in the AQI. A light fog and a thin layer of smog were visible in the morning, with the AQI recorded at 305, which falls in the 'very poor' category. This marked a 64-point drop compared to Friday, but the situation is still far from normal.

Pollution Situation in NCR

The situation remains worrisome in NCR cities as well.

• Noida's air remained the most polluted, with an AQI of 310.
• Greater Noida's AQI was 288,
• Ghaziabad's was 299, and
• Gurugram's was 262.

Compared to these, Faridabad's air was slightly better, with an AQI of 212, although it also falls in the 'poor' category.

Sources of Pollution: Who is Responsible?

According to Delhi's Air Quality Management System-

• 18.78% from vehicles
• 1.26% from stubble burning
• 2.88% from construction activities
• 4.38% from industrial areas
• 4.83% from residential areas.

On Saturday, winds blew from the north-northwest at a speed of 15 km/h, which slightly reduced pollution. The estimated mixing depth was 1250 meters, while the ventilation index was recorded at 6900 m²/s.

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PM levels still dangerous

At 3 pm, Delhi's PM10 level was recorded at 257.6 micrograms per cubic meter and PM2.5 at 140.4 micrograms per cubic meter, both considered hazardous. Respiratory patients are particularly facing difficulties due to the increased smog.

Situation may worsen in the coming days

The CPCB forecasts that the air quality will remain in the "very poor" category until Tuesday. Experts say that as the cold weather and wind speeds increase, pollution may worsen. Symptoms such as eye irritation, sore throat, and shortness of breath may increase.