New Delhi: Delhi woke up on Saturday to a marginal improvement in air quality, though pollution levels continued to hover in the ‘poor’ category, keeping residents on alert as winter smog tightens its grip over the region.
According to data from the Early Warning System for Delhi, the city’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 257 at 5:30 a.m., a modest drop from Friday’s 293. Despite this 36-point improvement, much of the National Capital Region (NCR) remained shrouded in a thick layer of haze, with visibility notably reduced in several areas.
An official from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee said, “The dip in AQI can be attributed to slightly better wind movement since Friday night. However, particulate matter concentrations remain high, which means the situation is still unhealthy for sensitive groups.”
While the overall air quality showed some respite, certain neighbourhoods continued to suffer severely. Anand Vihar recorded an alarming AQI of 411, placing it in the ‘severe’ category and making it the most polluted locality in the city. Other highly affected zones included Shadipur (328), Bawana (318), Wazirpur (314), and Punjabi Bagh (301) — all falling within the ‘very poor’ range.
In residential sectors such as Rohini (273), RK Puram (271), and Dwarka Sector 8 (268), the air remained persistently unhealthy.
Across the NCR, conditions were equally grim. Ghaziabad and Greater Noida registered AQI levels around 370, while Noida followed close behind at 332. Faridabad and Gurgaon fared slightly better, recording 342 and 301, respectively.
Experts noted that differences in readings between monitoring agencies — such as the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), aqi.in, and EWS — stem from varying data parameters and sensor placements across the region.
Environmental analysts warn that the city’s temporary improvement could be short-lived, as falling temperatures and the onset of stubble burning season are likely to worsen air quality in the coming weeks.
“Unless emissions are controlled and construction dust is managed effectively, the pollution curve could climb again before Diwali,” said a senior scientist at the India Meteorological Department.
Delhi’s AQI has fluctuated between “poor” and “very poor” for much of the past week, with readings of 345 on Wednesday and 325 on Thursday. Authorities have urged residents to limit outdoor activities during early morning and evening hours when pollutant concentration peaks.
With forecasts predicting calm winds over the next few days, experts caution that the brief respite may not last long — signaling another tough pollution season ahead for Delhi-NCR.
