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Ghaziabad Tops Pollution Charts as Air Quality Plummets in NCR
18 Oct
Summary
- Ghaziabad records highest AQI in India, reaching 307 on October 16
- Reduced wind velocity hinders dispersal of pollutants like PM10
- Noida also sees high pollution levels, with AQI reaching 318 on October 15
As of October 18, 2025, the city of Ghaziabad in India's National Capital Region (NCR) remains the country's most polluted, with air quality continuing to deteriorate. Just two days prior, on October 16, Ghaziabad recorded an air quality index (AQI) of 307, the highest in the nation for that day. This follows an earlier high of 271 AQI on October 14, which had prompted the Commission for Air Quality Management to enforce the first stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the NCR.
The primary cause of Ghaziabad's worsening air quality appears to be the reduced wind velocity in the region, which has significantly hindered the dispersal of pollutants. The city's high levels of particulate matter (PM10) are attributed to factors like road dust and increased vehicular traffic during the ongoing festive season. Neighboring Noida has also seen elevated pollution levels, with an AQI of 318 recorded on October 15.
Authorities are taking various measures under GRAP, including water sprinkling, mechanized road sweeping, and enforcement activities. However, the combination of poor road conditions, traffic congestion, and the Supreme Court's allowance of green crackers for the upcoming Diwali festival is expected to further exacerbate the air pollution crisis in the coming days.
