Impact Level: Notification
Locations Affected: Delhi-NCR, Faridabad, Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, India
Tracking Id: RINTP390258896
Description:
According to reports, following are the updates on the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi-NCR, as of Thursday (04 December):
• As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the AQI as of 1600 hours (local time) on Wednesday (03 December) was as follows: Delhi – 342 (very poor), Faridabad – 227 (poor), Gurugram – 282 (poor), Ghaziabad – 324 (very poor), Greater Noida – 324 (very poor), and Noida – 365 (very poor).
• Delhi’s air quality recorded a slight improvement on Thursday (04 December) at around 0700 hours, as the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 300, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
• While the overall AQI remained in the ‘poor’ category, several monitoring stations continued to report readings in the ‘very poor’ range.
• Of the 39 monitoring stations in Delhi, 19 recorded air quality in the ‘very poor’ category, 14 in the ‘poor’ category, and two in the ‘moderate’ category.
• Stations reporting very poor air quality included Chandni Chowk (331), RK Puram (344), Rohini (343), Vivek Vihar (319), Bawana (343), Siri Fort (327), Wazirpur (323), Anand Vihar (318), Ashok Vihar (307), and Sonia Vihar (301).
• Locations with poor air quality included IGI Airport (257), Alipur (284), Aya Nagar (275), Mathura Road (296), and IIT Delhi (287), and several other stations.
• At the central level, the Union Environment Ministry ordered 2,254 industrial units — classified as having high pollution potential, or “red category” — to install calibrated Online Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS) and Air Pollution Control Devices (APCD) before the year ended. Officials said non-compliant units may face closure.
Background:
The AQI reading is categorised as Good (0-50), Satisfactory (51-100), Moderately Polluted (101-200), Poor (201-300), Very Poor (301-400), and Hazardous (401-500).
Impact:
• Authorities will maintain increased vigilance near industrial areas, local markets, and hotspots with high vehicular or construction activity. Further local directives may be issued based on real-time AQI conditions.
• Health risks, particularly cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses, are expected to increase among sensitive groups including children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions.
• Road dust control measures, including daily mechanical or vacuum sweeping and water sprinkling, will continue, with the addition of dust suppressants every alternate day in high-traffic zones.
Recommendations:
• Use public transport and minimise personal vehicle use. Choose less congested routes, even if longer.
• Regularly replace air filters in vehicles, and avoid dust-generating construction activities between October and January.
• Refrain from burning waste or biomass in the open.
Sources:
• https://cpcb.nic.in//upload/Downloads/Delhi-NCR/NCR_AQI_Bulletin_2025_12_03.pdf
•
https://cpcb.nic.in//upload/Downloads/AQI_Bulletin_20251203.pdf
•
https://ommcomnews.com/india-news/delhis-air-quality-sees-slight-improvement-with-aqi-at-300/
•
https://www.thedailyjagran.com/delhi/delhi-pollution-cold-winds-bring-slight-air-quality-improvement-but-aqi-still-in-poor-category-at-299-check-areawise-aqi-10283813
