Delhi Air Quality Sees 35% Relief as AQI Drops to 234 — Pollution Spike Likely in Next 72 Hours

Delhi air quality improves as AQI drops to 234, offering temporary relief. Experts warn pollution levels may rise again in the next 3–5 days

he capital breathed slightly easier for the second consecutive day, with the air quality improving to the ‘poor’ category and an AQI of 234 recorded on Thursday (December 24, 2025).

Transport emissions and pollution from neighbouring cities continued to contribute significantly to the capital’s air pollution load, according to official data.

Delhi’s 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) stood at 234 at 4 p.m., remaining in the ‘poor’ category, compared to 271 recorded at the same time a day earlier, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

This marked a significant improvement from the ‘severe’ AQI of 412 recorded at 4 p.m on Tuesday (December 23, 2025).

Out of the 40 functional air quality monitoring stations in the city, 10 recorded moderate AQI levels below 200, including Lodhi Road, IIT Delhi, Indira Gandhi International Airport and Aya Nagar, while 27 stations remained in the poor category.

Two stations — Jahangirpuri and Bawana — recorded very poor air quality with AQI readings above 300.

As per the CPCB classification, an AQI between 0 and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 and 200 ‘moderate’, 201 and 300 ‘poor’, 301 and 400 ‘very poor’ and 401 and 500 ‘severe’.

Data from the Decision Support System (DSS) for Air Quality Management showed vehicular emissions were the largest contributor to Delhi’s pollution load on Wednesday, accounting for 18.5 per cent.

This was followed by industries in Delhi and adjoining areas (9.5 per cent), construction activities (2.5%) and waste burning (1.6%).

Among the NCR districts, Jhajjar in Haryana contributed the highest share to Delhi’s pollution at 17.6%, followed by Rohtak (5.9%) and Sonipat (3.1 %), the data showed.

The predominant surface wind was from the northwest, with wind speeds reaching up to 10 kmph during afternoon hours on Thursday, according to the Air Quality Early Warning System.

The air quality is likely to deteriorate to the very poor category in the coming days, according to the forecast.

On the weather front, Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 22.6 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, 1.9 degrees above normal, while the minimum temperature settled at 6.5 degrees Celsius, slightly below normal, the India Meteorological Department said.

Relative humidity stood at 63% at 8.30 a.m. and 84% at 5.30 p.m.

The IMD forecast a minimum temperature of 8 degrees Celsius on Friday (December 26, 2025), with moderate fog expected.

New Delhi experienced a brief spell of cleaner air on Wednesday as the national capital’s Air Quality Index (AQI) improved to 234, placing it in the “poor” category, according to official monitoring agencies. While the improvement has brought temporary relief to residents after several days of hazardous pollution, experts and meteorological agencies have warned that this respite may be short-lived, with air quality expected to deteriorate again in the coming days.

The marginal improvement in Delhi’s air quality has been attributed primarily to favourable weather conditions, including increased wind speed and a slight drop in night-time temperatures. These factors helped disperse pollutants that had remained trapped in the lower atmosphere for days due to calm winds and temperature inversion.

Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed that several monitoring stations across the city recorded AQI levels between 220 and 240, marking a noticeable decline from earlier readings that hovered close to the “very poor” and “severe” categories. Areas such as Anand Vihar, Rohini, and Mundka witnessed mild improvements, though pollution levels remain significantly above safe limits prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Despite the current improvement, forecast models suggest that pollution levels could rise again within the next 3–5 days. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that a likely reduction in wind speed and the re-emergence of stable atmospheric conditions could cause pollutants to accumulate once more.

Experts have also pointed to vehicular emissions, industrial activity, construction dust, and seasonal biomass burning as persistent contributors to Delhi’s air pollution. As winter progresses, the formation of a temperature inversion layer becomes more frequent, preventing pollutants from dispersing efficiently.

Although the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) had earlier imposed Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) due to worsening air quality, the recent improvement has prompted authorities to reassess the restrictions. However, officials have stressed that any relaxation will be temporary and strictly data-driven, depending on how AQI levels behave over the next few days.

Environmental experts have cautioned against complacency, warning that premature relaxation of pollution-control measures could quickly undo recent gains.

Doctors and public health experts continue to urge caution, especially for children, the elderly, and people with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions. Even at an AQI of 234, prolonged exposure can trigger symptoms such as coughing, throat irritation, eye discomfort, and breathing difficulties.

Residents have been advised to:

Limit outdoor physical activities
Wear masks when stepping outside
Use air purifiers indoors where possible
Monitor daily AQI updates before planning travel or exercise

While temporary weather-driven improvements offer momentary relief, experts reiterate that Delhi’s air pollution problem requires sustained structural solutions. These include strengthening public transport, promoting electric vehicles, regulating construction activities, controlling industrial emissions, and encouraging cleaner energy alternatives.

Environmentalists argue that unless year-round measures are implemented and strictly enforced, Delhi will continue to experience cyclical pollution spikes every winter, placing millions of lives at risk.

For now, Delhi residents can breathe a little easier, but authorities remain on high alert. With weather conditions expected to shift soon, air quality could slip back into the “very poor” category, underscoring the fragile nature of the current improvement.

As winter deepens, the capital’s battle against air pollution continues—one that demands coordinated efforts from policymakers, enforcement agencies, and citizens alike.

Delhi Air Quality Sees 35% Relief as AQI Drops to 234 — Pollution Spike Likely in Next 72 Hours