Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) continue to grapple with dangerously high air pollution, with the city recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) above 200 on nearly half of the days since 2022. Union Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh cited official data showing that Delhi exceeded the ‘poor’ AQI threshold on 685 occasions over the past four years, often entering the ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ categories.

The figures, released by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in response to a Rajya Sabha inquiry, indicate that Delhi residents have inhaled hazardous air on roughly 47 percent of the days between 2022 and 2025. Other NCR cities reported similarly alarming levels: Greater Noida recorded 660 days above 200 AQI, Gurugram 645, Ghaziabad 592, Noida 580, and Faridabad 522.

Winter months remain particularly harsh, with AQI spikes reaching dangerous levels. In December 2025, Noida peaked at 466, Ghaziabad at 459, and Delhi at 461—well within the ‘severe’ category. Early 2026 showed little relief: on January 18, Ghaziabad reached 458, Delhi 440, and Gurugram 394 on January 20. These trends highlight the persistence and intensity of winter pollution episodes in the region.

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Experts attribute such peaks to a combination of vehicular emissions, industrial activity, construction dust, and crop residue burning in neighbouring states, compounded by atmospheric conditions that trap pollutants near the surface. The IMD and local environmental agencies have repeatedly warned that these conditions pose serious health risks, particularly for children, the elderly, and people with respiratory illnesses.

Despite the escalating crisis, budget allocations for pollution control have declined. The FY 2026-27 Union Budget earmarked Rs 1,091 crore for pollution management—a reduction of Rs 209 crore from the revised allocation of Rs 1,300 crore in 2025-26. These funds support initiatives under the Control of Pollution programme and the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), which monitors air quality in 82 cities.

With no immediate relief in sight, authorities and environmentalists are urging stricter enforcement of emissions standards, enhanced monitoring, and increased public awareness to mitigate the health and economic impacts of prolonged exposure to toxic air. The NCR’s residents continue to face one of the most polluted urban environments globally, underscoring the urgent need for stronger action on air quality.

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