Delhi Air Pollution: NCR Chokes as AQI Crosses 396; Several Hotspots Above 700
New Delhi: The national capital and its neighbouring cities witnessed another day of hazardous air quality on Sunday, with pollution levels touching the “Severe” category across multiple locations. According to CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board) data, Delhi recorded an average AQI of 396, making the air nearly unbreathable for residents.
As per AQI.in, inhaling Delhi’s toxic air on Sunday was equivalent to smoking 11.8 cigarettes, highlighting the alarming health impact on millions.
NCR Cities Record Worse Pollution Than Delhi
Several neighbouring cities reported even higher pollution levels:
- Noida: AQI 413
- Ghaziabad: AQI 432
- Gurugram: AQI 264
Early morning monitors painted a grim picture, especially for Noida and Ghaziabad, where pollution touched the “Severe” category before sunrise
Delhi Hotspots: AQI Shoots Past 700 in Some Areas
Many regions within Delhi reported extremely toxic air:
| Location | AQI |
|---|---|
| Ashok Vihar | 702 |
| Maidan Garhi | 734 |
| Surya Nagar | 595 |
| Vasant Kunj | 497 |
| Burari | 629 |
| Rohini | 458 |
| Anand Vihar | 441 |
| Alipur | 412 |
| Bawana | 437 |
| Dwarka Sec-8 | 386 |
| Chandni Chowk | 390 |
| ITO | 410 |
| Narela | 433 |
| Wazirpur | 450 |
NCR Pollution Snapshot
- Ghaziabad (Vasundhara): 432
- Ghaziabad (Indirapuram): 438
- Noida Sector-62: 404
- Greater Noida: 607
- Gurugram Sector-51: 406
PM2.5 Reaches Dangerous Levels
Delhi’s PM2.5 concentration hit 331 µg/m³, nearly 22 times higher than the WHO guideline of 15 µg/m³.
Such high levels of microscopic pollutants are linked to:
- Heart disease
- Lung cancer
- Stroke
- COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
Doctors warn that vulnerable groups—including children, elderly citizens, and asthma patients—are at severe risk.
Stubble Burning Sees Decline, Says IARI
Data from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) suggests a dip in stubble-burning incidents:
- Haryana: 1 case
- Punjab: 3 cases
- UP: 522 cases
- MP: 607 cases
- Rajasthan: 21 cases
Between 15 September and 23 November, a total of 27,720 farm fire incidents were recorded across six states.
Experts, however, say that despite reduced stubble burning, hostile weather conditions and local pollution sources continue to trap toxic air over the region.
