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Delhi's Air Quality Stays 'Very Poor' Amid Record Cold and Dense Fog

Delhi's air quality persisted in the 'very poor' category with an AQI of 372, worsened by dense fog and record cold that trapped pollutants. Monitoring stations like Anand Vihar reported alarming readings above 400, reflecting severe pollution across the capital. The IMD forecast continued fog and possible light rain, while a CREA analysis named Delhi the NCR's most polluted city in 2025. Despite a marginal annual decline, PM2.5 levels in Delhi remain nearly double the safe standard, highlighting a persistent public health crisis.

Key Points: Delhi AQI Hits 372: Very Poor Air Amid Biting Cold

  • AQI at 372 in 'very poor' range
  • Anand Vihar station hits 418
  • Coldest day since 2019 recorded
  • CREA: Delhi top polluted NCR city in 2025
3 min read

Delhi's air quality continues to remain 'very poor' amid biting cold

Delhi's air quality remains 'very poor' with AQI at 372. Dense fog and record cold hamper pollution dispersion. Key areas like Anand Vihar report AQI above 400.

"Delhi remained the most polluted city in the National Capital Region in 2025 – Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air"

New Delhi, Jan 1

Delhi woke up to yet another grim morning under a thick blanket of pollution and biting cold, with air quality continuing to remain in the "very poor" category as fog and low temperatures tightened their grip on the national capital on the New Year.

According to the latest data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) for Delhi stood at 372, reflecting sustained high pollution levels across the city.

Cold and foggy weather conditions have further worsened the situation, as reduced wind speed and low temperatures have hampered the dispersion of pollutants, allowing fine particulate matter to remain suspended in the air for prolonged periods.

Several air quality monitoring stations across Delhi reported alarming readings. Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 418, while Wazirpur followed closely at 414.

Rohini logged an AQI of 413, with Ashok Vihar at 392.

RK Puram registered 381, ITO stood at 371, Chandni Chowk reported 377, and Siri Fort recorded an AQI of 384.

Neighbouring cities in the National Capital Region also continued to struggle with poor air quality.

Noida recorded an AQI of 364, while Ghaziabad ranked fifth with an AQI of 338. Greater Noida followed at sixth position with an AQI of 336, with all these locations falling under the very poor air quality category.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast a generally cloudy sky for Thursday and indicated the possibility of very light to light rain at isolated places.

The weather office also cautioned residents about moderate fog at many locations and dense fog at isolated places during the morning hours, along with cold day conditions in some areas.

Notably, Wednesday marked the coldest day recorded in Delhi since 2019. The maximum temperature settled at 14.2 degrees Celsius, which is 6.2 degrees below the seasonal average.

Such unusually low daytime temperatures, combined with high humidity levels and stagnant wind conditions, have significantly contributed to discomfort among residents and further deterioration in air quality across the region.

Meanwhile, a recent analysis conducted by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) revealed that Delhi remained the most polluted city in the National Capital Region in 2025, followed by Ghaziabad and Noida.

While the annual average PM2.5 concentration in Delhi showed a marginal decline compared to the previous year, the average pollution levels during the critical October to December period increased slightly compared to 2024.

The study highlighted that PM2.5 levels at all 40 monitoring stations in Delhi were at least 1.8 times, nearly double, the prescribed annual standard.

Among the 29 cities in the NCR, only 14 had PM2.5 data coverage exceeding 75 per cent in 2025, underscoring gaps in comprehensive air quality monitoring across the region.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
The cold just traps all the pollution. It's a double whammy - can't even open windows for fresh air because it's freezing outside, and the air inside isn't great either with heaters on. My child's school has cancelled outdoor activities again. 😔
A
Aman W
Living near Anand Vihar, the AQI of 418 doesn't even surprise me anymore. You can literally see the haze. The authorities talk about long-term plans, but what about immediate relief for citizens? More smog towers, better public transport incentives are needed NOW.
S
Sarah B
The article mentions gaps in data coverage across NCR cities. This is crucial. How can we solve a problem we aren't fully measuring? We need transparent, real-time data from all areas to hold officials accountable and understand the true scale.
K
Karthik V
It's not just Delhi's problem. We in Ghaziabad are suffering equally. The wind brings pollution from all directions. A regional body with real power to enforce norms across state borders is the only solution. The blame game between states helps no one.
N
Nikhil C
While the situation is terrible, I must respectfully point out that individual responsibility is also lacking. We complain but continue to use private cars for short trips, burst crackers, and ignore waste segregation. Change has to start at home too. Let's be part of the solution.
M

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