New Delhi, October 23, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Air pollution continued to affect Delhi-NCR on Friday, with several monitoring stations recording air quality in the ‘poor’ category as temperatures gradually decline ahead of winter, raising concerns over the health risks of prolonged exposure to polluted air.
According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), AQI readings at several locations across Delhi remained elevated. Pusa recorded an AQI of 289, followed by Jahangirpuri at 284, R.K. Puram and Rohini at 281 each, DTU at 276, Sirifort at 274 and Narela at 273. Bawana recorded 269, while Punjabi Bagh registered 275.
Other locations reporting poor air quality included Mandir Marg (263), Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (261), Alipur (260), Najafgarh (255), Commonwealth Sports Complex (249), Burari Crossing (246), JNU (238) and Anand Vihar (218).
Delhi’s minimum temperature is expected to remain around 19 degrees Celsius, while the maximum is forecast to reach approximately 32 degrees Celsius.
The capital recorded its first ‘poor’ air quality day of the season on October 21, when the AQI reached 245, its highest level in around 100 days. The deterioration followed Dussehra celebrations and coincided with reports of stubble burning in neighbouring Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. However, no direct link has been established between the festivities and the subsequent decline in air quality.
Authorities have implemented Stage I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which applies when the AQI is between 201 and 300. Measures focus on controlling construction dust and addressing local sources of pollution.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the government was pursuing short-term and long-term strategies, including an 11-point action plan covering dust control, electric vehicle promotion, vehicular emissions and identification of local pollution sources.
An Integrated Command and Control Centre has been established to monitor pollution from construction activities, while an artificial intelligence-based traffic management system is being used to improve traffic flow and help reduce vehicle emissions.
Under GRAP, Stage II applies to AQI levels of 301-400, Stage III to 401-450 and Stage IV to levels above 450.
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