Smog Stories: Which Parts Of NCR Suffer Most, Why Pollution Levels Differ In Delhi, Ghaziabad, Noida, Gurugram

Smog Stories: In recent years, air quality has evolved from an abstract environmental issue into an urgent public health crisis. As real-time AQI updates flash across smartphones and government alerts trigger emergency protocols, the Air Quality Index has transformed into a vital survival metric for urban dwellers. What were once rare "severe" pollution spikes have become chronic seasonal fixtures, particularly in the Delhi-NCR region. Despite a range of policy interventions, toxic air levels consistently breach safety thresholds, with some areas being identified as hotspots. 

Today, the AQI is far more than a statistic; it is a critical warning system that quantifies the daily health risks inherent in every breath. The Daily Jagran spoke to experts Manoj Kumar, Analyst at Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), and Sunil Dahiya, Founder and Lead Analyst of Envirocatalysts, to understand what’s driving these figures.

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Parts Of Delhi Worst Affected By Air Pollution

According to the recent data released by the Department of Environment, Government of the NCT of Delhi, there are 13 major air pollution hotspots, where annual PM10 levels exceed 300 μg/m³ and PM2.5 levels exceed 100 μg/m³, as recorded by the nearest located Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS).

The parts of Delhi reporting the highest AQI include:

• North West Delhi: Ashok Vihar, Bawana, Jahangirpuri, Mundka, Narela, Punjabi Bagh, Rohini and Wazirpur

• South West Delhi: Dwarka and the nearby areas to the Indira Gandhi International Airport

• East Delhi: Shahdara, Anand Vihar, Vivek Vihar

• South Delhi: RK Puram

Environmentalist Manoj Kumar, however, disagrees with the nomenclature and remarked that the difference between these pockets and the rest of Delhi overall does not allow it to be called a hotspot. “The difference between Delhi’s overall pollution vs regional pockets is not that much. Regional hotspots can be used in Mumbai, where the city’s overall pollution vs that in the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) is huge and significant, leading to it becoming a hotspot,” he further added. 

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What Are The Major Factors Behind Pollution In These Areas?

Pollution in parts of North West Delhi is caused by the presence of major industrial complexes in this part of Delhi. Both Bawana and Narela are sites of major industrial developments along with Wazirpur. In Dwarka and areas near Delhi’s IGI airport, the pollution is mainly caused by incessant construction that goes on in these places. 

According to environmentalist Sunil Dahiya, some of these specific pockets, like that in Wazirpur, have a huge garbage dump, which contributes to the worsening AQI of the city. 

Why Pollution Levels Differ In Delhi, Ghaziabad, Noida, Gurugram?

Pollution levels differ across Delhi, Ghaziabad, Noida and Gurugram primarily due to variations in local emission sources, urban planning, industrial activity, traffic density, and geographic conditions, even though all four cities share the same airshed. 

Delhi consistently records the highest pollution levels because of its dense population, extremely high vehicle numbers, presence of industrial areas within residential zones, continuous construction activity, and landlocked geography that traps pollutants, especially during winter temperature inversion. 

Ghaziabad experiences severe pollution due to its concentration of industrial units, brick kilns, and heavy freight movement, with emissions often spilling into East Delhi because of proximity. 

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Noida, while still polluted, generally fares slightly better as it has fewer heavy industries and better-planned infrastructure, though rapid construction and rising vehicle use continue to degrade air quality. 

Gurugram tends to record comparatively lower pollution levels at times due to greater green cover, wider roads, and fewer traditional industries, but traffic congestion and construction remain major contributors. 

Seasonal factors such as stubble burning in neighbouring states, low wind speeds, and regional dust affect all NCR cities, amplifying pollution levels across the region.

Another factor highlighted by environmentalist Sunil Dahiya is the difference in population between these three regions. The difference in the population level means that the per-unit contribution to air pollution varies regionally from place to place. He also cited geographical phenomena, such as wind flow, which contribute to the different levels of pollution in various parts of the NCR.

Average Monthly AQI Trends (2025)

Based on CPCB and CAQM reports, the monthly average air quality index for Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad and Delhi reflects the following trends:

AQI Data Of Gurugram In 2025

Source: Aqi.in

AQI Data Of Noida In 2025

Source: Aqi.in

AQI Data Of Ghaziabad 2025

Source: Aqi.in

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AQI Data Of Delhi 2025

Source: Aqi.in