Delhi's Air Woes Persist Despite Marginal Improvements

As of November 8th, 2025, Delhi's air quality has shown some signs of improvement compared to the same period last year, but the city's residents continue to breathe heavily polluted air. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) reported that the city's daily Air Quality Index (AQI) readings this month have been slightly lower than in 2024, with six out of the last seven days recording better air quality.

However, the air quality in Delhi remains firmly in the "poor to very poor" range for most days, well above safe limits. Environmental experts caution that while the marginal gains are noteworthy, there is little to truly celebrate, as the city's air is still far from clean.

To address the ongoing pollution crisis, the DPCC has issued a series of directives to civic agencies, including strict collection of solid waste and construction debris, machine-based road sweeping, and intensified water sprinkling to reduce dust. Transport officials have also been told to regularly check for pollution-emitting vehicles. Despite these efforts, challenges like dust from construction sites and roadside burning continue to plague the city.

The DPCC has also appealed to citizens to take preventive measures, such as avoiding biomass burning and using only approved fuels. Residents have been urged to report air pollution incidents through dedicated apps, though concerns remain about the consistency of enforcement and follow-up on the ground.

As Delhi continues its battle against toxic air, authorities and experts agree that a collective effort involving citizens, government departments, and private bodies is crucial to achieving meaningful and lasting improvements in the city's air quality.