Delhi-NCR chokes as AQI levels cross 400, hits ‘severe’ category

Areas like Wazirpur and Bawana report hazardous levels above 450, while the NCR region also suffers poor air quality.

Updated on: Nov 23, 2025, 11:17:22 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Delhi’s air quality remains critical as winter smog takes hold. On Sunday, the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital hovered around 430 at 7 am, placing it firmly in the “severe” category.

Certain pockets of the city continue to face extremely hazardous air. According to live readings, Wazirpur and Bawana stand out as some of the pollution hotspots: Wazirpur registered an AQI above 450 and Bawana reached 435 on Sunday morning.

Also Read | 50% work-from-home in Delhi-NCR now hastened to combat worsening air quality

At 7.15 am, Jahangirpuri registered a choking AQI of 438, firmly in the ‘severe’ zone. Anand Vihar (427) and Ashok Vihar (421) also reported similarly hazardous levels, underscoring how several pockets of the capital continue to reel under dangerous pollution.

In the wider NCR belt, air quality showed little relief. Noida hovered dangerously close to the ‘severe’ threshold with an AQI of 390, while Greater Noida’s reading of 380 placed it in the ‘very poor’ category.

Ghaziabad continued to face some of the worst conditions in the region, logging a severe AQI of 426 and extending the toxic smog blanket beyond the capital.

Such elevated levels reflect highly concentrated particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and poor visibility, posing serious health risks to everyone outdoors.

Also Read | Grap 4 measures to be taken under Stage 3 amid ‘very poor’ AQI in Delhi

Government measures

In response to the pollution surge, the region remains under Stage 3 restrictions of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) advisory for this phase includes 50% on-site staffing for private offices and remote work for the rest.

Also Read | Experts sound red alert as Delhi air turns ‘life threatening’: 10 points

Delhi’s Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa confirmed that the government is monitoring the situation around the clock and has introduced staggered timings for both MCD and GNCTD offices to reduce peak traffic emissions.

The Delhi government also on Friday instructed all schools and other educational institutions not to conduct any sports or other outdoor physical activities.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.