The air quality in the capital in the recent past had shown an unprecedented dip, leading the government to impose GRAP 4 restrictions. The worsening situation was caused by stagnant air and a lack of winds. However, on Wednesday, the capital saw a marginal improvement in AQI as it moved to the “very poor” category from the earlier severe condition. Even so, a thick layer of smog persisted across the city.
Delhi air quality improves
As per data shared by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi recorded a 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 334 at 4 pm on Wednesday, compared to 354 on Tuesday.
According to data from the CPCB’s Sameer app, 29 of Delhi’s 39 active monitoring stations logged AQI levels in the “very poor” category, while the remaining stations reported “poor” levels. ITO recorded the highest AQI at 378, while IGI Airport registered the lowest reading at 258, both falling under the “poor” category.
At 11:00 pm on Wednesday the AQI stood at 572, in the hazardous category.
Further drop expected
The air quality early warning system for Delhi has forecast that the capital’s air quality will oscillate between “very poor” and “severe” categories over the next six days.
AQI in Noida
As per AQI.in, the AQI in Noida currently stands at 549, rising from 452 recorded at 8 am. Schools in Noida have also been shifted to a hybrid mode. This step has been taken to reduce children’s exposure to hazardous pollution that surrounds the Delhi-NCR region.
Ghaziabad
According to the AQI.in dashboard, the AQI in Ghaziabad is currently at 573. The AQI has risen to these levels from 452 at 8 am. Schools in Noida and Ghaziabad have shifted to online or hybrid classes for students. This step has been taken to reduce children’s exposure to hazardous pollution in the Delhi-NCR region.
Lucknow
As per AQI.in, air quality in Lucknow currently stands at 358, compared to around 300 in the morning. However, according to a report by Hindustan Times, the AQI in the city was recorded at 174, falling in the “moderate” category, based on data from the Central Pollution Control Board across three of the city’s six monitoring stations. The worsening AQI later brought with it a thick layer of smog, leading to the cancellation of the India vs South Africa match at the Ekana Stadium in the city.
Kanpur
The AQI in Kanpur stood at 254 at 11 pm. The city continues to witness consistently high pollution levels, with AQI peaking at 400 at 10 pm last night. On the morning of the 17th, AQI levels were recorded at 300.
One of the most frightening details is highlighted by the world’s most polluted cities ranking chart. The top 10 most polluted cities in the world right now are all from India, with New Delhi at the top of the list and Muzaffarnagar at the bottom. Here is the full list.
Mumbai
The AQI in Mumbai stood at 193 at around 11 PM, while the city maintained a similar AQI even in the morning, reaching highs of 197 and 198. While it is better than Delhi NCR, it still falls in the poor category and indicates that it may cause breathing discomfort.
Kolkata
The AQI in Kolkata on the night of the 17th was around 261, which falls under the severe air quality category. The AQI in Kolkata had risen to around 400 last night. Currently, Kolkata’s AQI is in the hazardous category, around 323, indicating extremely poor air quality that poses serious health risks.
Pune
As of the latest real‑time data, Pune’s AQI is around 324, which falls in the Hazardous category, indicating very poor air quality and serious health risks. This means pollution levels are extremely high right now, and prolonged outdoor exposure can be harmful — especially for children, the elderly, and people with respiratory
Ahemdabad
As of the latest air quality readings, Ahmedabad’s AQI is around 222, placing it in the “Unhealthy” category, which means the air quality is poor and can affect health, especially for sensitive groups
One of the most frightening details is showcased by the worldwide most polluted city ranking chart. The top 10 most polluted cities in the world right now are from India, with the first being New Delhi and the last being Muzaffarnagar. Here is the full list.
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