States » NorthPosted at: Oct 18 2026 12:21AM


Air quality turns 'poor' in four NCR towns; Greater Noida worst at AQI 233, Delhi remains 'moderate'

Chandigarh, Oct 17 (UNI) Air quality slipped into the 'poor' category in four towns of the National Capital Region (NCR) on Saturday, with Greater Noida recording the highest Air Quality Index (AQI) of 233, while Delhi and all monitored locations in Haryana remained in the 'moderate' or 'satisfactory' categories, according to the latest regional air quality bulletin.
The bulletin, issued at 4 p.m. and based on average air quality over the preceding 24 hours, showed that Greater Noida was followed by Khora at 213, Ghaziabad at 206 and Noida at 203. All four locations are in Uttar Pradesh.
Of the 31 NCR cities and towns covered in the report, four recorded 'poor' air quality, 18 fell in the 'moderate' category and nine registered 'satisfactory' levels. None of the monitored locations recorded 'very poor' or 'severe' air quality.
Particulate matter emerged as the dominant pollutant across the region, with PM2.5 and PM10 identified as the prominent pollutants at most locations.
Bahadurgarh most polluted in Haryana
In Haryana, Bahadurgarh recorded the highest AQI of 191, followed by Manesar at 181, Ballabgarh at 175 and Karnal at 148.
Kurukshetra recorded an AQI of 125, Panipat 114, Faridabad 109, while Gurugram and Palwal registered 106 each. All these locations remained in the 'moderate' category.
However, seven locations in Haryana reported comparatively better air quality.
Mandikhera in Nuh district recorded the state's lowest AQI of 59, followed by Bhiwani at 63, Jind 71, Sonipat 77, Dharuhera 85, Narnaul 94 and Rohtak 96. All seven were in the 'satisfactory' category.
The figures revealed substantial variations in pollution levels across Haryana. Bahadurgarh's AQI of 191 was more than three times the reading of 59 recorded at Mandikhera.
PM2.5 was identified as the prominent pollutant in Bahadurgarh, Manesar, Ballabgarh, Karnal, Bhiwani, Jind, Rohtak and Sonipat.
Gurugram reported both PM2.5 and PM10 as prominent pollutants, while PM10 was dominant in Faridabad, Kurukshetra, Panipat, Dharuhera and Narnaul. Carbon monoxide was identified as the prominent pollutant in Palwal.
Greater Noida, Ghaziabad belt records poorest air
In Uttar Pradesh's NCR districts, Greater Noida registered the highest AQI of 233, followed by Khora at 213, Ghaziabad at 206 and Noida at 203.
Muzaffarnagar and Meerut recorded AQI levels of 191 and 165, respectively, while Baraut registered 160, Hapur 152 and Bulandshahr 148.
Baghpat recorded 119 and Khurja 117. These locations remained in the 'moderate' category.
The bulletin identified PM10 and PM2.5 as the prominent pollutants in Greater Noida and Ghaziabad, PM10 in Khora and PM2.5 and ozone in Noida.
Delhi recorded an AQI of 159, placing the national capital in the 'moderate' category, with PM2.5 identified as the prominent pollutant.
Rajasthan records comparatively cleaner air
In Rajasthan's NCR districts, Alwar recorded an AQI of 73 and Bharatpur 97, both in the 'satisfactory' category.
Bhiwadi registered an AQI of 137, placing it in the 'moderate' category.
Health concerns over prolonged exposure
Under the Central Pollution Control Board's AQI classification, readings between 201 and 300 fall in the 'poor' category and can cause breathing discomfort to most people on prolonged exposure.
AQI readings between 101 and 200 are classified as 'moderate' and may cause breathing discomfort to people suffering from lung diseases, asthma and heart ailments.
Readings between 51 and 100 are considered 'satisfactory', although sensitive individuals may experience minor breathing discomfort.
The latest bulletin highlighted a concentration of poorer air quality in the Greater Noida-Ghaziabad-Noida belt, while Haryana and Rajasthan recorded comparatively lower pollution levels at their monitored NCR locations.
The figures represent the 24-hour average AQI reported at 4 p.m. on Saturday and do not establish a day-on-day rise or fall in pollution levels. UNI KK CDS
Tags: #Air quality turns 'poor' in four NCR towns; Greater Noida worst at AQI 233# Delhi remains 'moderate'
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