As the festive season is in full swing, markets and malls across Delhi-NCR are buzzing with crowds shopping for Diwali and Dhanteras. But amidst all this excitement, have you ever thought about the air your are breathing? The rising pollution and ongoing construction across the city and several other reasons have pushed Delhi-NCR’s air quality to alarming levels.
The situation is become a serious concern, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded today, October 16, 2025, crossing the 300 mark in several areas, placing the region firmly in a very poor category.
Areas worst hit by rising pollution levels in Delhi-NCR
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As per the data of National AQI presented by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, there are several areas in Delhi-NCR region, which are categorized in the very poor and unhealthy category in term of air quality.
Delhi locations recorded with poor and unhealthy air quality today
Anand Vihar: 372 (very poor)
Alipur: 253 (poor)
Dwarka- Sector 8: 324 (very poor)
Jahangirpuri: 302 (very poor)
Wazipur: 337 (very poor)
Smog and dust push AQI to ‘very poor’ category across several NCR areas
Indirapuram, Ghaziabad: 302 (very poor)
Loni Ghaziabad: 331 (very poor)
Vasundhara, Ghaziabad: 301 (very poor)
Sector-125, Noida: 341 (very poor)
Sector-116, Noida: 320 (very poor)
While some parts of the Delhi showed better air-quality, the overall situation across the NCR remains serious..
Steps taken by the government to manage the challenge
Government has taken some major steps to address this alarming situation such as:
Strict enforcement of dust control measures.
Close monitoring of air quality
Reviewing the conditions regularly
With the decreasing quality of air, Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-1) has been imposed On October 14, 2025 in Delhi-NCR, including several key restrictions under GRAP 1
Projects larger than 500 square meters will be required to follow an approved dust management plan.
Open burning of things which causes pollution will be strictly prohibited.
Roadside food stalls will be prohibited from using coal or wood fuel.
Hotels, restaurants, and outdoor dining establishments will only use electricity, gas, or other clean fuels.
The use of diesel generators has been restricted, and will only be permitted in essential or emergency situations.
Vehicles that cause pollution will be fined.
For traffic control, traffic police have been deployed at major intersections, and drivers will be instructed to turn off their engines at red lights.
Diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years will be banned in Delhi-NCR.
As per IANS report, experts have attributed the spike in pollution to high concentrations of ozone and PM10, both of which were identified as the major pollutants this month. Weather conditions such as low wind speed and temperature inversion also prevent pollutants from dispersing. Whereas, health experts have issued a warning, stating that air quality in the “very poor” category can have serious health effects, especially for children, the elderly, and those with respiratory or cardiac conditions.
AQI Explained: How to know, the air you breathe is safe or not?
So, as per National Air Quality Index data, here are some ranges where you can categorise the AQI of your city and take steps accordingly:
0-50: It is considered good-quality air, indicating minimal or no health impact.
51-100: Air quality at this level is satisfactory but may lead to slight discomfort among sensitive groups.
101-200: Considered moderate, this air quality can lead to discomfort for individuals suffering from asthma, lung, or heart diseases.
201-300: Classified as poor, this air quality can lead to respiratory discomfort and health problems with extended exposure.
311-400: Cities falling under this range are classified as having very poor air quality, an alarming condition that can lead to respiratory illnesses with prolonged exposure.
Precautions
With Diwali still a few days away, the toxic air has raised concerns among citizens, follow these key things to protect yourself and your family:
People are advised to avoid going outside until its urgent.
Wear protective masks.
Use air purifiers in house.
Authorities are also appealing the citizens to strictly follow pollution-control measures and government advisories to come out with this issue
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: zeebiz.com
