As pollution levels in Delhi continue to be severe, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Friday claimed the Capital has registered best best-ever average Air Quality Index (AQI) for the period January-October.
It also said the average AQI was the best ever during the eight years from 2018-2025 (barring 2020 — the year of lockdown due to Covid).
The CAQM said the average AQI of Delhi for the period January — October during the current year has been recorded as 170 as against 184 in 2024, 172 in 2023, 187 in 2022, 179 in 2021, 156 in 2020, 192 in 2019 and 201 in 2018 respectively, during the corresponding period.
From September to October, Delhi–NCR shifts from monsoon-influenced winds that are relatively stronger and carry humid air to a post-monsoon regime where winds become weaker and the air turns drier and more stable. These meteorological conditions reduce pollutant dispersion and often lead to an increase in air pollution levels.
This period (January — October) in 2025 did not witness even a single day with an average AQI more than 400 (‘Severe’ or ‘Severe+’ categories). There were 03, 03, 01, 06, 02, 09 and 07 such days during the years 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively.