3 min readOct 16, 2025 07:49 AM IST
First published on: Oct 15, 2025 at 07:40 AM IST
Delhi Air Pollution: The pollution in Delhi is rising by nearly the hour now and there is no relief in sight. It is only going to get worse. The Delhi AQI at 5:30 am on Wednesday, October 15 remained in the poor category, with the reading at 201. On Tuesday, the Delhi AQI was 200 at the same time as per the Early Warning System (EWS) for Delhi.
The temperature was 19°C at the time the AQI was recorded.
The AQI reading is categorised as Good (0-50), Satisfactory (51-100), Moderately Polluted (101-200), Poor (201-300), Very Poor (301-400), and Severe (401-500). Thus, higher the AQI reading, the unhealthier it gets to breathe.
The 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) reading 211 at 4 pm as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Anand Vihar was retained the top spot from Tuesday in the worst air quality on Tuesday, followed by Wazirpur.
NCR AQI
The AQI in other areas of the National Capital Region was no better. The AQI in Noida had worsened to 369 at 7 am, jumping from 228 at 5 am. A layer of smog could be seen hanging around the city.
Ghaziabad was in the 320-325 region between 5 am and 7 am. The Faridabad AQI steadily rose from 252 at 5 am to 267 at 7 am.
Owing to the rising pollution, The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas imposed Stage 1 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-1).
Delhi AQI forecast
The EWS forecast says the Delhi AQI will be 346 on October 17 evening. This means that some areas are likely to have an AQI well beyond 350 during that time.
Delhi AQI Forecast: The EWS forecast says the Delhi AQI will go well beyond 340 on October 17.
MOST POLLUTED LOCALITIES OF DELHI
| Area |
AQI |
| Anand Vihar |
347 (374 on Tuesday) |
| Wazirpur |
296 (261 on Tuesday) |
| Bawana |
251 (259 on Tuesday) |
| Mathura Road |
294 (248 on Tuesday) |
| Dwarka, Sector 8 |
269 (248 on Tuesday) |
| Jahangirpuri |
258 (248 on Tuesday) |
| Shadipur |
232 (245 on Tuesday) |
| Siri Fort |
223 (238 on Tuesday) |
| Mundka |
210 (222 on Tuesday) |
| Narela |
209 (218 on Tuesday) |
| Rohini |
217 (212 on Tuesday) |
| Alipur |
207 (212 on Tuesday) |
| Punjabi Bagh |
225 (207 on Tuesday) |
| Vivek Vihar |
217 (207 on Tuesday) |
| Burari |
198 (206 on Tuesady) |
| Nehru Nagar |
185 (203 on Tuesday) |
| RK Puram |
212 (201 on Tuesday) |
| IGI Airport |
222 |
| Okhla Phase-2 |
223 |
| Patparganj |
225 |
| Ashok Vihar |
213 |
Residents in zones where the AQI is high are advised to wear masks and stay indoors as much as possible to avoid breathing in the toxic air. Health experts also advise to avoid outdoor walking, jogging, or exercising due to the presence of pollutants in the air.
A building barely visible behind a layer of smog (Image: Express Photo/Abhishek Chakraborty). 
Delhi AQI Forecast: The EWS forecast says the Delhi AQI will go well beyond 340 on October 17.
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