The air quality across Delhi-NCR and parts of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana has plunged to extremely hazardous levels, with pollution readings reaching some of the highest values recorded this season. On Wednesday morning, several cities in north India reported AQI figures classified as “severe” to “beyond severe,” raising serious health concerns for millions of residents.
According to real-time data from aqi.in, a village in Uttar Pradesh, Nagli Bahrampur, recorded an alarming AQI above 1,000, marking it as the most polluted location in the country on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Delhi, Noida, Greater Noida, and surrounding NCR regions continued to struggle with choking smog, rising particulate matter, and near-zero visibility in several pockets.
PM2.5 and PM10 Levels Far Beyond WHO Guidelines
The situation has worsened sharply since the retreat of the monsoon in north India. At 7 AM on Wednesday:
- PM2.5 levels in Delhi were 384 µg/m³
This is nearly 26 times higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended daily limit of 15 µg/m³. - PM10 levels stood at 517 µg/m³
WHO recommends PM10 exposure not exceeding 45 µg/m³ in 24 hours, making Delhi’s readings over 12 times higher.
Such elevated concentrations of particulate matter are considered dangerous as they penetrate deep into the respiratory system, increasing the risk of severe lung and cardiovascular diseases.
The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) for Delhi reached 543, a level comparable to inhaling the smoke from more than 12 cigarettes a day, according to public health experts.
GRAP Stage-IV Measures Remain in Effect
In light of the deteriorating air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has continued to enforce Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage-IV, the highest level of pollution control measures.
Stage-IV restrictions include:
- Ban on all construction and demolition activities
- Shutdown of industrial operations running on non-clean fuels
- Restrictions on vehicular movement
- Enhanced deployment of anti-smog guns and dust suppressors
- Advisories urging citizens to stay indoors and avoid physical exertion outdoors
However, despite these measures, the pollution levels show no signs of significant improvement, highlighting the severity of the crisis.
Health Experts Warn of Public Health Emergency
Dr. Anant Mohan, Head of Pulmonary Medicine at AIIMS, expressed grave concerns over the escalating health risks associated with the toxic air. While speaking to ANI, he stated:
“The pollution in Delhi is absolutely severe and life-threatening. This situation has been going on for the last ten years. We try to do something every time, but on the ground, I don’t see much change.”
He warned that the toxic air is now impacting multiple organs, not just the lungs. Hospitals have noted:
- A surge in respiratory infections
- Increased outpatient visits
- Higher emergency room admissions
- Several patients requiring ventilator support
Dr. Mohan emphasized that this situation must be treated as a public health emergency, urging authorities to take long-term, systemic measures rather than seasonal interventions.
NCR Pollution Levels: Delhi, Noida, Greater Noida, Haryana
Pollution levels across NCR cities remained dangerously high:
- Noida: AQI 576
- Greater Noida: AQI 548
- Meerut (UP): AQI 466
- Faridabad (Haryana): AQI 531
- Haryana State Average: 398, still well above the safe limit
The dense smog has also disrupted daily life, with residents reporting burning eyes, breathlessness, coughing, and a persistent toxic smell in the air.
Top Polluted Cities in India Today
On Wednesday morning, at 7:30 AM, the top 59 most polluted cities on the real-time national air quality tracker were all from India, highlighting a widespread regional pollution crisis.
The most polluted among them was Nagli Bahrampur, where the AQI breached the 1,000 mark, a level rarely recorded globally and considered extremely dangerous.
Why the Pollution Spike?
Environmental experts identify several contributing factors:
- Stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana
- Vehicular emissions
- Industrial pollution
- Construction dust
- Low wind speed and temperature inversion
- Post-monsoon climatic shifts trapping pollutants near the surface
With winter approaching, the situation is expected to worsen unless strong, coordinated actions are taken by state and central authorities.
Conclusion
Delhi-NCR and several cities in northern India are facing one of the worst pollution episodes in recent years. With PM2.5 and PM10 levels exceeding global safety limits by massive margins and AQI figures entering severe-to-extreme categories, the region stands on the brink of a public health disaster.
Authorities, health experts, and environmental organizations are urging citizens to take precautions such as wearing N95 masks, using air purifiers indoors, and minimizing outdoor exposure. Meanwhile, the enforcement of pollution control measures will play a crucial role in determining how quickly, or slowly , the situation improves.