What is the Delhi-NCR airshed and how does it impact air quality?

The Delhi-NCR airshed is a connected atmospheric zone spanning 35 districts across Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Pollutants move seamlessly across this regional system, meaning Delhi's air quality is shaped by sources within the wider airshed, not just local factors.

How can improving public transport in Delhi help reduce air pollution?

Modelling shows that expanding clean, reliable public transport and transitioning vehicle fleets to electric can cut traffic emissions by over 50%. Providing affordable, accessible public transport is crucial to reducing private vehicle dependence and associated pollution.

What role can citizens play in clearing Delhi's smog?

Curbing small-scale burning of trash, leaves, or debris is one of the most direct ways citizens can contribute to cleaner air. Incentives and subsidies for safe waste collection and recycling can accelerate adoption of clean-burning practices.

Home / Environment / Delhi-NCR's Airshed: The Key to Clearing the Capital's Smog Crisis

Delhi-NCR's Airshed: The Key to Clearing the Capital's Smog Crisis

23 Oct

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Summary

Delhi-NCR's air behaves as one connected atmospheric system across 35 districts
Improving public transport and reducing open burning can cut PM2.5 levels by 40%
Coordinated, science-led action across the airshed is crucial for cleaner air

Delhi-NCR's Airshed: The Key to Clearing the Capital's Smog Crisis

On October 23, 2025, Delhi finds itself once again in the grip of its annual smog crisis. As temperatures drop and air dispersion weakens, the city's air quality has rapidly deteriorated, with PM2.5 levels climbing from around 45 micrograms per cubic metre to 153 and the Air Quality Index reaching a "very poor" 286.

However, the solution to Delhi's pollution woes may lie in recognizing the city's air as part of a larger, interconnected system. Recent research at IIT Kanpur has identified a "Delhi-NCR airshed" - a shared atmospheric zone spanning 35 districts across Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. This means pollutants move seamlessly across administrative boundaries, requiring a coordinated, regional approach to mitigation.