IndiaPosted at: Nov 3 2026 10:02PM


Delhi gasps for breath as AQI touches 350, Jahangirpuri records 462

New Delhi, Nov 3 (UNI) Delhi’s air pollution intensified today, with the national capital recording its worst air quality as the average Air Quality Index (AQI) touched 350, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category.
Ten monitoring stations reported severe pollution, reflecting the deteriorating air quality across large parts of the city.
The pollution level has witnessed a sharp rise over the past two days, climbing from 261 on November 1 to 324 on November 2 before worsening further on Tuesday.
Of the 57 monitoring stations reporting valid data, 10 registered severe air quality, 35 recorded very poor levels and the remaining 12 fell in the poor category. Jahangirpuri emerged as the most polluted locality, with an AQI of 462.
Other areas witnessing alarmingly high pollution included Rohini, Punjabi Bagh, Bawana, Alipur, Narela and Vivek Vihar, several of which recorded readings above 400. IGNOU-Maidan Garhi was among the relatively less polluted locations.
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) remained the dominant pollutant. These microscopic particles can penetrate deep into the respiratory system and enter the bloodstream, increasing the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular complications.
Under the Central Pollution Control Board's classification, an AQI between 301 and 400 is categorised as very poor, while readings above 400 fall in the severe category.
The deterioration comes a day after the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR, following the city's AQI slipping into the very poor category. The measures include intensified mechanical road sweeping, water sprinkling, dust control and restrictions on polluting activities.
The pollution crisis has also extended to neighbouring NCR cities. Noida and Manesar recorded AQI levels of 307 and 302, respectively, while Gurugram stood at 284, Ghaziabad at 259 and Greater Noida at 213. Faridabad reported comparatively better conditions, with an AQI of 111.
The Centre's Air Quality Early Warning System has projected that Delhi's air quality is likely to remain very poor between November 4 and 6. The six-day outlook indicates that pollution could persist in the very poor to severe range.
Meanwhile, union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav today outlined measures taken since September to tackle pollution across the national capital region, citing a decline in farm fires in Punjab and Haryana.
He said Punjab recorded 1,514 stubble-burning incidents between September 15 and November 1, against 2,084 during the corresponding period last year, registering a reduction of 38 per cent. Haryana reported 42 incidents compared with 118, marking a decline of 64 per cent.
Yadav said 34 hotspot districts had been identified, with flying squads and drones deployed for monitoring and enforcement. Paddy straw utilisation outside fields has also increased, with Punjab's utilisation rising from 3.66 million tonnes in 2023 to 7.89 million tonnes, while Haryana's increased from 1.32 million tonnes to 2.71 million tonnes.
Highlighting transport-related interventions, he said NCR states had deployed 8,172 electric city buses and established 15,072 charging stations. Delhi alone has 6,949 electric buses and 22,637 charging stations.
The minister also said 233 traffic congestion points had been identified across NCR, of which Delhi had addressed 39 of its 62 locations. Further, 2,296 of the 2,345 targeted industrial units had been connected to the CPCB's online continuous emission and effluent monitoring system. UNI PWS SS
Tags: #Delhi gasps for breath as AQI touches 350# Jahangirpuri records 462
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