Delhi’s air quality slides again as residents woke up to a blanket of moderate fog on Friday, a day after Christmas, pushing pollution levels back into the “very poor” category. The city’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) was 305 at 8 am, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), highlighting how brittle recent gains have been. After nearly two weeks of consistently “very poor” and “severe” conditions, the air quality improved to “poor” on Christmas. The combined effects of local emissions, pollution drifting in from nearby areas, and winter weather are highlighted by the renewed deterioration.

Anand Vihar has the worst air quality among the city’s pollution hotspots, with an AQI of 390, close to the “severe” category. Twenty-four of Delhi’s 39 monitoring sites reported AQI levels between 300 and 400, placing them firmly in the “very poor” category. With a “moderate” AQI of 177, Lodhi Road stood out as an exception to the fourteen stations that reported “poor” air quality. At the time of reporting, data from the Pusa station were unavailable. The incident demonstrates once more why Delhi’s air quality slides again becoming a persistent issue for the city.

Delhi’s AQI Levels and Official Classification

Residents can better understand the extent of air pollution and its potential health effects using the CPCB’s AQI scale.

• AQI values between 0 and 50 are considered “good,” indicating little effect.
• People with respiratory problems may find levels between 201 and 300 uncomfortable because they are deemed “poor.”
• Even healthy people are impacted by AQI readings above 300, which are classified as “very poor” or “severe.”

The return to “very poor” levels shows how quickly conditions can worsen when fog traps pollutants close to the ground, reinforcing concerns each time Delhi’s air quality slides again.

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Pollution Sources, Restrictions, and Weather Outlook

According to official data, transportation-related emissions and pollutants from nearby cities continue to contribute significantly to Delhi’s pollution burden. Measures under Stages I, II, and III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) are still in effect even if Stage IV restrictions have been lifted.

• Without the Commission’s express consent, construction and demolition sites that were previously closed due to infractions will not be permitted to reopen.
• Restrictions on polluting activities, car emission checks, and dust control measures are still in place.

Particularly in the morning, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted a partly overcast sky with shallow to moderate fog in several places. Maximum temperatures could range from 21 to 23 degrees Celsius, while minimum temperatures are expected to range from 6 to 8 degrees Celsius. Such conditions are likely to slow the dispersion of pollutants, keeping air quality under pressure and explaining why Delhi’s air quality slides again despite temporary relief earlier in the week.

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