File photo: A layer of smog engulfs New Delhi | Photo credit: PTI
Delhi’s air quality showed a slight improvement on Friday morning but still remained in the ‘poor’ category, with many areas experiencing clearer skies and better visibility compared to recent days.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the national capital recorded an AQI of 268 as of 8 am on Friday, categorized as ‘poor’. At the same time yesterday, the city’s air quality fell into the ‘very poor’ category as the AQI recorded at 8am was 352.
Several key monitoring stations also recorded an improvement in air quality. Anand Vihar reported an Aqi of 282, Aya Nagar 237, Burri Crossing 249, DWarka Sector-8 288, IGI Airport 211, IHBAS DLshad garden 284, Ito 280, jln Stadium 255, Nehru Nagar PHASE 2 255, Punjabi Bagh 293 and Patparganj 256 – all Categorized as ‘Pore’
Some stations also recorded ‘moderate’ air quality as the AQI reported at CRRI Mathura Road 198, Chandani Chowk 194 and Lodhi Road 199 was from 8 am. However, air quality was still “very poor” in several parts of the city.
According to the CPCB, the AQI in Alipur was 303, Ashok Vihar 328, Bawana 349, Jahangirpuri 312, Mundka 317, Narela 316, Najafgarh 310, RK Puram 305, Rohini 323, Sirifort 318 and Wazirpur 355.
Earlier on Thursday, the monitoring stations in Anand Vihar simultaneously reported an AQI of 408 and Vivek Vihar 415, categorized as ‘severe’ air quality. Post Diwali, the air quality index (AQI) in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) has fallen under the ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’ categories in several areas, even as Phase 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) remains in force.
Meanwhile, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) on Wednesday announced the doubling of parking charges in the national capital after the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Phase II was invoked due to deteriorating air quality. The decision, aimed at discouraging the use of private vehicles, will see parking charges for off-road and covered parking areas managed by the NDMC double.
Moreover, from November 1, the CAQM has banned the entry of commercial vehicles registered outside the national capital that still do not comply with BS-VI emission norms. According to the notification, non-BS-VI compliant commercial vehicles will be allowed to enter Delhi only till October 31, 2026.
The Delhi government has already completed two consecutive cloud seeding operations as part of its robust air quality management strategy.
Published on October 31, 2025
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