Delhi air turns toxic again, stubble burning pushes AQI above 300

Delhi AQI crosses 300 mark

Delhi woke up to another smog-filled morning on Friday, with a thick haze covering the city and air quality levels plunging into the ‘very poor’ category. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital stood at 307.

The city has witnessed a rapid deterioration in air quality over the past 24 hours. On Thursday evening, the AQI touched 311, compared to a relatively better 202 in the morning, a sharp rise of more than 100 points in a single day. Officials said the worsening air to smoke from stubble burning, stagnant weather conditions, and the bursting of firecrackers during Gurpurab celebrations.

Data from the Centre’s Decision Support System shows that stubble burning in neighbouring states contributed around 9.48% to Delhi’s PM2.5 levels on Thursday,  the highest this winter so far. The share is projected to jump to nearly 38% on Friday as northwesterly winds bring more smoke from crop residue fires across Punjab and Haryana.

This period marks one of the most polluted phases of Delhi’s winter season. As local winds slow and temperatures drop, smoke from stubble fires mixes with emissions from vehicles, construction dust, and industrial activity, turning the city’s air toxic. Experts warn that these conditions could trigger a full-blown public health emergency if pollution levels continue to rise.

Area-wise AQI in Delhi (November 7, 2025):

ITO: 329
Jahangirpuri: 321
JLN Stadium: 306
Mundka: 336
Nehru Nagar: 330
Okhla Phase 2: 301
Najafgarh: 276
Rohini: 334
Sonia Vihar: 318
Vivek Vihar: 319
Alipur: 309
Anand Vihar: 318
Bawana: 365
DTU: 265
Dwarka Sector 8: 317
Narela: 331
Patparganj: 303
Pusa: 312
RK Puram: 326
Shadipur: 252
Burari Crossing: 340
IGI Airport: 274
Wazirpur: 334

The worsening smog has prompted authorities to consider stricter pollution control measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), including curbs on construction, vehicle use, and industrial emissions.