- By Yashashvi Tak
- Sun, 19 Oct 2025 11:56 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Delhi’s air quality deteriorated further on Sunday, remaining in the “very poor” category for the sixth straight day. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 274 at 5:30 am, indicating severe pollution levels ahead of Diwali. With the festival just a day away, the capital continues to battle worsening smog and rising health risks as pollution levels surge across several monitoring stations.
Area Wise AQI In Delhi
By 7 am, Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 426, entering the “severe” category.
RK Puram registered an AQI of 322, remaining in the “very poor” category.
Vivek Vihar’s AQI stood at 349, classified as very poor.
Ashok Vihar recorded 304, falling under very poor.
Bawana had an AQI of 303, in the very poor range.
Jahangirpuri recorded 314, remaining very poor.
Dwarka’s AQI reached 327, also in the very poor category.
Lodhi Road recorded an AQI of 221, falling under the poor category.
Najafgarh’s AQI stood at 212, classified as poor.
Okhla Phase 2 registered 283, also in the poor range.
Narela recorded an AQI of 266, remaining poor.
The CPCB categorizes air quality based on AQI values: 0–50 is good, 51–100 satisfactory, 101–200 moderate, 201–300 poor, 301–400 very poor, and 401–500 severe.
Delhi-NCR AQI
In the National Capital Region (NCR), pollution remained high, with Loni (Ghaziabad) recording an AQI of 341.
Sector 125 (Noida) and Sector 51 (Gurugram) both registered AQI levels of 342, placing them in the “very poor” category.
According to the Decision Support System, transport emissions contributed 15.6% of Delhi’s total pollution on Saturday, the largest single source.
Experts warned that the combination of vehicular emissions, festive firecrackers, and stubble burning could push air quality into the “severe” category in the coming days.
Delhi’s AQI On Diwali
The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) has projected that Delhi’s air quality will worsen on October 20, coinciding with Diwali, potentially hitting the high range of the “very poor” category. Conditions could escalate to “severe” by October 21 if firecracker emissions increase.
The Supreme Court’s October 15 directive permits the use of only “green crackers” within limited hours (6–7 am and 8–10 pm on October 19 and 20), but ensuring compliance is expected to be difficult.