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Delhi's AQI Eases to 291 as Study Ranks Capital Sixth Most Polluted in October

Forecasters expect conditions to deteriorate later in the week after winds briefly dispersed pollutants.

Overview

  • CPCB data showed Delhi's overall AQI at 291 on November 4, improving from 309 a day earlier as westerly winds aided dispersion, though 18 stations stayed in the very poor range.
  • The Delhi government said this was the city's best November 4 reading in seven years and reported intensified enforcement, including 7,580 vehicular-pollution challans and expanded dust-control operations.
  • CREA's October snapshot placed Delhi sixth nationally with a monthly PM2.5 average of about 107 µg/m³, while Dharuhera, Haryana topped the list at 123 µg/m³ and breached the NAAQS on 77% of days.
  • The study estimated stubble burning contributed under 6% to Delhi's October PM2.5 and urged long-term controls on vehicles, industry and construction beyond seasonal measures like GRAP.
  • The Air Quality Early Warning System projected a return to very poor conditions from Wednesday to Friday, and CPCB/IQAir data underscored regional contrasts with Thoothukudi at a severe 486 as some southern and northeastern cities logged very clean air.