Delhi's AQI Falls to 191, Lowest October 24 Reading in a Decade

Delhi recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 191 on Saturday, marking its lowest reading for October 24 in a decade, excluding the Covid period. This improvement places the city's air quality in the 'moderate' category, according to the city government, as reported by Press Trust of India. For comparison, the AQI stood at 306 on October 24, 2024, and 275 on the same date in 2025, according to a statement from the Environment Department.

The government attributed this positive shift to sustained pollution-control measures, encompassing enforcement, monitoring, road cleaning, waste removal, and public participation. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa stated that the improvement reflects the government's efforts to tackle pollution. Recent actions included issuing 9,883 vehicle challans within 24 hours, sweeping 2,810 km of roads, and sprinkling water across 1,075 km to manage dust. Additionally, authorities removed 12,702 metric tonnes of waste and 2,223 metric tonnes of construction and demolition waste, inspected 160 construction sites, and collected 168 metric tonnes of road dust.

Sirsa affirmed that the government would continue its anti-pollution campaign in "war mode," with strict enforcement and continuous monitoring. Government departments and district administrations have been directed to pinpoint pollution hotspots and address sources such as road dust, traffic congestion, unauthorized construction, and waste burning. The city is also leveraging its Integrated Command and Control Centre, which utilizes artificial intelligence-based systems, CCTV surveillance, and air-quality monitoring to track pollution sources and review measure implementation. District magistrates and relevant officials are conducting regular reviews to ensure timely action.

Sirsa appealed to residents for sustained public cooperation, urging them not to burn waste, to manage it responsibly, and to adhere to pollution-control regulations. The government reiterated its commitment to field inspections, technology-based monitoring, and enforcement to further enhance air quality in the national capital.

What to watch: Continued enforcement of anti-pollution measures and public participation.

Editor's note: The draft comprehensively incorporates all figures, administrative actions, and government statements provided in the full text.