Overview
- Delhi’s 24-hour average AQI rose to 332 on Friday from 234 on Thursday, and Saturday morning readings crossed 300 citywide with several stations in the severe range.
- Calm or light winds and fog reduced dispersion, with weather agencies warning that a western disturbance will sustain very poor conditions over the next few days under a fog alert.
- After a brief improvement midweek, the CAQM revoked GRAP Stage‑IV on December 24, with lower-stage curbs still in force and enforcement measures such as the ‘No PUC, No Fuel’ rule ongoing.
- Official apportionment data show vehicles as the largest contributor to PM2.5 at roughly 18–20%, followed by industry and residential sources, with Haryana’s Jhajjar among the top external contributors.
- Air quality varied sharply across the city, with Anand Vihar and Akshardham near or above 410 in the severe band, ITO in the very poor range, and areas like Dhaula Kuan closer to 252 in the poor category.