Delhi woke up to another hazy morning on Thursday, October 30, 2025, as air pollution continued to plague the national capital. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi stood at 366 at 10 am, placing the city firmly in the ‘poor’ category, while several major areas recorded ‘very poor’ air quality levels.

The overall 24-hour AQI average as recorded on Wednesday at 4 pm was 279, a slight improvement from 294 on Tuesday, though still in the “poor” range. Earlier in the week, on Monday, the city had registered an AQI of 301, categorised as “very poor.” Despite minor fluctuations, experts have forecasted that the city’s air quality will continue to hover between the “poor” and “very poor” categories over the coming days.

Area-wise AQI Data

As of 9 am on Thursday, major areas in Delhi reported the following AQI levels:

Area	AQI	Category
Ashok Vihar	408	Severe
Wazirpur	399	Very Poor
Jahangirpuri	394	Very Poor
Ashok Vihar (duplicate?)	392	Very Poor
Sonia Vihar	382	Very Poor
ITO	374	Very Poor
Burari	373	Very Poor
Punjabi Bagh	372	Very Poor
Alipur	372	Very Poor
Aya Nagar	341	Very Poor

This sharp deterioration follows the post-Diwali period, which has historically seen spikes in pollution due to firecrackers and other festivities. The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage-II is currently in effect, with several measures implemented to curb the pollution levels.

GRAP Stage-II Measures

As part of Stage-II of GRAP, the Delhi government has deployed truck-mounted water sprinklers across the city to suppress dust and particulate matter. Authorities have also taken measures to discourage private vehicle use.

The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) recently announced doubling parking fees across the national capital to reduce traffic congestion and discourage double parking. This includes both off-road and indoor parking areas managed by NDMC, with the move aimed at curbing vehicular emissions.

Additionally, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has set a restriction on commercial goods vehicles (CGVs) registered outside Delhi that do not comply with BS-VI emission standards. Non-compliant vehicles are prohibited from entering Delhi starting November 1, 2025, though they will be allowed until October 31, 2026, giving operators a one-year window to upgrade their vehicles.

Cloud Seeding Efforts

In an effort to improve air quality, the Delhi government conducted cloud seeding trials in collaboration with IIT Kanpur. Two attempts were made on Tuesday, but both failed to produce significant rainfall or reductions in pollution levels due to low atmospheric moisture content, measured at 10-15%, which is insufficient for effective cloud seeding.

The trial planned for Wednesday was postponed for similar reasons. While cloud seeding did not yield the desired rainfall, IIT Kanpur reported a measurable reduction in key pollutants, including PM2.5 and PM10, indicating that the exercise had some beneficial impact on particulate matter dispersion.

Authorities noted that the success of cloud seeding is highly dependent on favourable weather conditions, and efforts will continue in the coming days to explore all avenues to improve the city’s air quality.

Public Health Concerns

The persistent poor air quality continues to pose significant health risks for Delhi residents, especially for children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory or cardiac conditions. Exposure to high levels of PM2.5 and PM10 can lead to breathing difficulties, aggravated asthma, and other lung-related illnesses. Authorities have urged citizens to minimize outdoor activities, wear masks, and use air purifiers indoors.

Government and Administrative Response

The Delhi government has emphasized strict enforcement of GRAP measures, including temporary bans on construction activities, dust control protocols, and penalties for non-compliant vehicles. NDMC and other municipal authorities have increased surveillance and are actively monitoring pollution hotspots.

The central government’s focus on air quality management includes measures like expanding the monitoring network, strengthening emergency response protocols, and increasing public awareness campaigns. However, the post-Diwali spike has highlighted the need for long-term strategies beyond short-term interventions like sprinklers and cloud seeding.

Outlook

Experts indicate that Delhi’s air quality may remain volatile over the next few days, fluctuating between “poor” and “very poor” depending on weather conditions, traffic patterns, and continued emissions from firecrackers, dust, and industrial sources. While cloud seeding and GRAP measures may provide temporary relief, comprehensive action including vehicular regulation, industrial emission control, and public participation will be crucial to achieve sustainable improvement.

In conclusion, while the AQI remains in the ‘poor’ range, ongoing measures like cloud seeding trials, stricter vehicular regulations, and higher parking fees aim to curb pollution levels. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, urging citizens to follow precautions and remain vigilant amid one of the most severe pollution seasons Delhi has experienced in recent years.