States » NorthPosted at: Nov 7 2026 10:10PM


Ballabgarh AQI hits severe 409, worse than Delhi; eight Haryana towns battle toxic air

Panchkula, Nov 7 (UNI) Air pollution reached the 'severe' category in Haryana's Ballabgarh on Saturday, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 409, surpassing Delhi's 369, as eight towns and cities in Haryana recorded 'very poor' or worse air quality despite stringent pollution-control restrictions across the National Capital Region (NCR).
According to the official NCR air quality bulletin issued at 4 p.m., Ballabgarh was the most polluted among the 33 cities and towns covered by the report and the only location to register 'severe' air quality.
The latest figures underscored the worsening pollution crisis in Haryana, where several urban centres recorded dangerously high particulate concentrations ahead of Diwali.
Of the 33 monitored locations across Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, 13 reported air quality in the 'very poor' or 'severe' categories, while 19 were classified as 'poor'. Only Palwal in Haryana, with an AQI of 132, recorded 'moderate' air quality.
Ballabgarh's AQI was 40 points higher than Delhi's, while Bahadurgarh, with a reading of 364, emerged as Haryana's second most polluted location in the NCR bulletin.
Gurugram recorded an AQI of 345, followed by Faridabad at 336, Rohtak at 320, Jind at 310, Bhiwani at 307 and Sonipat at 304. All seven locations remained in the 'very poor' category.
The pollution extended beyond Haryana. Khora in Uttar Pradesh recorded an AQI of 352, followed by Khairthal in Rajasthan at 335, Bhiwadi at 318 and Hapur in Uttar Pradesh at 307.
Delhi's AQI stood at 369, placing the national capital in the 'very poor' category.
Other Haryana locations also reported unhealthy air. Manesar and Panipat registered an AQI of 279 each, Charkhi Dadri 262, Narnaul 255, Karnal 254 and Mandikhera in Nuh district 232.
The alarming readings came a day after the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR on November 6.
The restrictions include additional controls on construction and demolition activities and the movement of older, more polluting vehicles. Restrictions on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers apply to Gurugram, Faridabad, and Sonipat, as well as to specified districts in Delhi-NCR.
The pollution emergency has also brought tighter compliance requirements for government agencies, businesses and motorists across the region.
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) was identified as the predominant pollutant in Ballabgarh and most severely affected locations in Haryana. These particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and pose particular risks to people with respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.
According to the air quality bulletin's health advisory, 'severe' pollution can affect healthy individuals and seriously aggravate existing illnesses, while prolonged exposure to 'very poor' air can cause respiratory illness.
The figures represent average pollution levels over the preceding 24 hours and do not establish the precise causes of pollution at individual locations.
With GRAP Stage III measures already in place, the latest readings underline the challenge facing authorities in containing hazardous air pollution across Haryana and the wider NCR.
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