Delhi tops global pollution chart ahead of Diwali; AQI may hit severe on Saturday

A view of the area around South Avenue and Vijay Chowk amid smog as the Air Quality Index (AQI) goes to 392, categorised as 'very poor' as per the CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board), in New Delhi on Saturday. | Photo Credit: ANI

Just a day before Diwali, Delhi got the infamous tag of most polluted city in the world on Saturday morning, according to a list prepared by Swiss ​group IQAir’s live ranking. Meanwhile, Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi apprehended the AQI (Air Quality Index) to reach the ‘severe’ category from ‘very poor’ on Saturday itself.

According to a report by Reuters, IQAir ranked Delhi first among the world’s major cities at 10:35 am (0505 GMT), with a US air quality ​index reading of 581, double that of ​Lahore in neighbouring Pakistan, at 285. IQAir’s reading, based on concentrations ‌of ⁠air pollutants, is not directly comparable to India’s official index, which uses a different scale and methodology.

India’s Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) put Delhi’s air quality ​index at ​363 at ⁠10 a.m., in the ‘very poor’ category. The 24-hour average AQI of 382 at 4 pm on Friday. As per CPCB standards, an AQI of 0-50 is considered ‘good’, 51-100 ‘satisfactory’, 101-200 ‘moderate’, 201-300 ‘poor’, 301-400 ‘very poor’, and 401-500 ‘severe’.

Out of the 59 air quality monitoring stations in the city, 18 recorded AQI in the severe category on Saturday morning. According to forecasts by the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi, the AQI is expected to reach the severe category on Saturday. Several weather stations saw a slight dip in the minimum temperature.

Safdarjung, representative of the city’s weather, recorded a minimum of 16.2 degrees Celsius, 1.9 degrees below the normal and one degree less than Friday. According to IMD forecast, mostly clear skies are expected for the next few days.

In the meantime, the Delhi government on Saturday said it will implement the ban on vehicles below BS-VI emission standards registered in other states or Union Territories every year between November 1 and January 31. It earlier announced a ban on the plying of non-Delhi-registered motor vehicles that are below BS-VI emission norms for the same period this year -- which is usually marked by the worst of the city’s air pollution and quality -- under its Winter Action Plan to limit vehicular emissions and curb dust on roads.

“Every year, from November 1 to January 31, other state-registered BS-IV and below vehicles will not be allowed to ply in Delhi,” a Delhi transport department’s public notification said on Saturday .With effect from November 1, 2026, commercial goods vehicles, including large goods vehicles, medium goods vehicles and heavy goods vehicles and buses which are BS-IV and below, will not be permitted to enter Delhi, it said, adding that this also includes buses operating under the All-India Tourist Permit and other service regimes.

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