States » NorthPosted at: Nov 8 2026 5:29PM


Ballabgarh nears severe pollution mark at AQI 398, Delhi at 376 as toxic air grips NCR despite GRAP curbs

Panchkula, Nov 8 (UNI) Air pollution continued to pose a serious public health threat across the National Capital Region (NCR) on Sunday, with Haryana's Ballabgarh recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 398, just three points below the 'severe' threshold, while Delhi registered 376, as 14 of the 34 monitored cities and towns reported 'very poor' air quality despite stringent anti-pollution restrictions.
According to the official NCR air quality bulletin released at 4 p.m., Ballabgarh was the most polluted location among those covered by the report, followed by Delhi at 376, Rajasthan's Bharatpur at 369, Uttar Pradesh's Khora at 364 and Bulandshahr at 363.
The latest figures highlighted the continuing pollution crisis across Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, with particulate matter remaining the dominant pollutant in most affected locations.
Of the 34 monitored locations, 14 recorded 'very poor' air quality, 16 fell in the 'poor' category and only four reported 'moderate' air quality. None registered 'good' or 'satisfactory' air quality.
In Haryana, five cities and towns recorded AQI values exceeding 300. Ballabgarh topped the list at 398, followed by Narnaul at 342, Bahadurgarh at 325, Charkhi Dadri at 319 and Rohtak at 306.
Other major Haryana urban centres also reported unhealthy air quality. Faridabad recorded an AQI of 291, Gurugram 288, Jind 287, Manesar 279, Bhiwani 278, Dharuhera 266, Sonipat 244 and Panipat 228, placing all eight locations in the 'poor' category.
Karnal, with an AQI of 200, remained at the upper limit of the 'moderate' category, while Mandikhera in Nuh district recorded 146 and Palwal 132.
The situation was equally concerning in neighbouring states.
In Rajasthan, Bharatpur recorded 369, Khairthal 350 and Bhiwadi 342, while Alwar registered a comparatively lower AQI of 191.
In Uttar Pradesh, Khora recorded 364, Bulandshahr 363, Ghaziabad 344, Baghpat 326 and Noida 318. Greater Noida, at 299, remains just two AQI points below the 'very poor' category.
Meerut recorded 295, Shamli 292, Baraut 278, Modinagar 275, Hapur 257, Khurja 240 and Muzaffarnagar 219.
The bulletin identified PM2.5 and PM10 as the principal pollutants across the region. PM10 was the prominent pollutant in Ballabgarh, Panipat and Sonipat, while PM2.5 dominated readings in Delhi and several other cities.
The persistent pollution comes amid the enforcement of Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which took effect on November 6 following a deterioration in Delhi-NCR air quality forecasts.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has prescribed tighter restrictions under Stage III, including controls on certain construction and demolition activities and restrictions on specified categories of older vehicles in designated areas.
The revised GRAP framework also extends restrictions on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers to Sonipat, in addition to Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar.
Despite these measures, the latest readings indicated that air pollution remained widespread across the region, with several locations recording levels close to the 'severe' category.
The Central Pollution Control Board classifies AQI readings between 201 and 300 as 'poor', 301 to 400 as 'very poor' and 401 to 500 as 'severe'.
According to the CPCB's health advisory, 'poor' air quality can cause breathing discomfort to most people on prolonged exposure, while 'very poor' air quality can lead to respiratory illness.
The 'severe' category can affect even healthy individuals and pose serious health risks to people with existing respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.
The bulletin's readings represent average air quality over the preceding 24 hours, rather than instantaneous pollution levels.
With Ballabgarh hovering near the 'severe' threshold and Delhi continuing to report 'very poor' air quality, the figures underscore the scale of the pollution challenge confronting authorities across the NCR.
UNI KK RN
Tags: #Ballabgarh nears severe pollution mark at AQI 398# Delhi at 376 as toxic air grips NCR despite GRAP curbs
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