Smog pushes Delhi’s AQI to 303 ‘very poor’ as IMD warns of cold wave

Delhi's air quality plunged to 'very poor' with an AQI of 303, despite a slight improvement. Dense smog choked the city, reducing visibility significantly. Meanwhile, a cold wave brought the minimum temperature down to 8 degrees Celsius. The government is addressing pollution concerns, highlighting actions by the Commission for Air Quality Management.

Delhi recorded an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 303 at 9 am on Sunday, placing the city in the “very poor” category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Despite a marginal improvement compared to recent weeks, large parts of the city remained enveloped in dense smog, with visibility sharply reduced.

Areas such as Anand Vihar and ITO reported heavy haze early in the day. CPCB data showed several monitoring stations, including Ashok Vihar (322), Bawana (352), Burari (318), Chandni Chowk (307), and Dwarka (307), firmly in the “very poor” range, indicating widespread deterioration in air quality.

Cold wave forecast adds to morning discomfort

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast a cold wave for the day. The minimum temperature was recorded at 8 degrees Celsius, 1.6 notches below normal, with morning relative humidity reaching 100 per cent. The maximum temperature is expected to settle between 22 and 24 degrees Celsius later in the day, according to IMD.

CPCB provides AQI categorisation and health indicators

AQI range Category Description 0–50 Good Indicates minimal pollution and low health risk 51–100 Satisfactory Minor pollution; acceptable air quality for most 101–200 Moderate May pose health concerns for sensitive groups 201–300 Poor Increased likelihood of health effects, especially for vulnerable individuals 301–400 Very poor Significant health impact with prolonged exposure 401–500 Severe High risk of adverse health effects for all individuals

Government addresses concerns over pollution levels

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change issued a statement in response to a question raised by MP Dr. Laxmikant Bajpayee in the Rajya Sabha, who asked whether “one in every seven deaths in Delhi can be attributed to the city's toxic air,” as claimed by several studies. Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh said various academic and research bodies have conducted studies on the health impact of air pollution, and added that in 2025, “not a single day had the AQI reached the severe-plus level in Delhi.”

Commission for Air Quality Management outlines actions

The government cited the role of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), established under the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021, to oversee pollution control efforts across Delhi-NCR. The Commission operates in a collaborative manner involving all major stakeholders.

According to the government, CAQM has issued 95 statutory directions to guide pollution-mitigation actions and has formulated the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for winter pollution peaks. Stricter emission norms in NCR and regular review meetings to monitor compliance continue to form part of the broader strategy to address the region's air-quality challenges.

(With inputs from ANI and PTI)
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Source: EconomicTimes
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