Delhi's Air Quality Reaches 7-Year High: AQI Drops to 291 as Anti-Pollution Measures Show Results

Delhi has achieved a remarkable milestone in its battle against air pollution, with current air quality measurements reaching the best levels in seven years. Over the past day, the city's enforcement teams have intensified their anti-pollution efforts.

New Delhi's air quality index (AQI) today registered at 291, representing a substantial improvement compared to 381 in 2024 and 415 in 2023, according to official environmental data. This consistent decline in AQI readings confirms a positive transformation in Delhi's winter air quality—a season typically characterized by hazardous smog conditions. The last comparable air quality reading around this date occurred in 2018.

Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa stated that these improved figures demonstrate the effectiveness of year-round pollution control initiatives throughout the capital.

"The continuous improvement in Delhi's AQI demonstrates that our comprehensive and year-round pollution control strategy is yielding positive results. Under Chief Minister Rekha Gupta's leadership, the government is working diligently to create cleaner and healthier air for Delhi residents," Sirsa explained.

The data reveals a consistent annual decrease in Delhi's November 4th AQI measurements. From 447 in 2022, the figure dropped to 415 in 2023, further improved to 381 in 2024, and now stands at 291 in 2025.

Officials attribute this improvement to enhanced enforcement measures targeting construction dust, vehicle emissions, and open waste burning throughout the metropolitan area.

In the past 24 hours, Delhi's civic and enforcement teams have strengthened their anti-pollution operations significantly. Authorities inspected 258 construction sites for dust control compliance and mechanically cleaned over 2,300 kilometers of roads to reduce settled dust particles. Traffic police and transportation departments issued 7,580 citations for vehicular pollution violations and inspected 105 inter-state buses at Delhi's borders.

Additionally, 91 trucks were rerouted through the Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways to minimize congestion and pollution within city limits.

The Environment Department confirmed that more than 1,200 enforcement teams are currently patrolling across the capital. This includes 443 teams monitoring open waste burning, 378 focusing on dust control measures, and various others checking vehicle emissions.

Approximately 390 anti-smog guns, 280 water sprinklers, and 76 mechanical sweepers have been deployed across major roads and pollution hotspots throughout the city.

Despite this encouraging progress, officials acknowledge that significant challenges remain. Air pollution from crop residue burning in neighboring states, increasing construction activities, and Delhi's expanding vehicle population continue to impact air quality levels.

"Winter always presents a challenging period due to weather conditions and external factors. However, our coordinated ground efforts are demonstrating positive outcomes," Sirsa noted. "When monitoring, enforcement, and dust control measures work in tandem, Delhi can and will achieve better air quality," he added.