Delhi’s AQI reaches ‘Severe’: Assessing air quality across Delhi NCR and India’s metro cities

This is about 30.07 times higher than the PM2.5 standard value set by WHO guidelines, equating to the health impact of smoking about 10 to 11 cigarettes daily.

Meanwhile, a thick fog blanketed parts of the capital, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reporting a minimum temperature of 8 degrees Celsius while the maximum was forecasted a high of 23 degrees Celsius.

“Cold wave conditions likely to prevail over major parts of Northwest India during next 5-7 days,” IMD reported. (Express Photo by Praveen Khanna)

While severe air pollution is not new for Delhi—especially in the winter months due to traffic emissions, industrial activity, construction dust, and stubble burning in surrounding states—the levels recorded in 2024 had reached unprecedented heights in November peaking at an AQI of 494, classified as ‘severe plus.’

Air Quality Index in NCR, as revised Stage IV of GRAP implemented

On Monday, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) immediately activated Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the NCR after Delhi’s air quality index breached 400, signalling a ‘Severe Plus’ pollution level.

The decision was made following the Supreme Court’s directive that Stage IV measures must be reintroduced when the AQI crosses 400, triggered by unfavourable meteorological conditions including stagnant winds and reduced mixing layer height.

Delhi pollution levels registered a steep climb. (Express Photo: Praveen Khanna)

The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi-NCR was critically poor, with most areas experiencing ‘very poor’ pollution levels, according to average COCB data as of December 18, 2024; here’s a look into the air quality index of the Delhi NCT and adjoining NCR regions:

Air Quality Index across India’s top metropolitan cities:

The capital—Delhi continues to hold the title of India’s most polluted city, with an alarming Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching a ‘severe level’,  below is an overview of the air quality status in major metropolitan cities across India, based on live data from aqi.in:

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