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Gurugram Chokes on Pollution as Firecracker Sales Spike
18 Oct
Summary
- Air quality in "poor" category for 3rd consecutive day
- Vehicular emissions and construction account for 70% and 30% of pollution
- Authorities launch anti-cracker rallies and construction site inspections
As of October 19, 2025, Gurugram's air quality has remained in the "poor" category for the third consecutive day, with an AQI of 258. This marks a marginal increase from the previous day's reading of 266.
The spike in pollution levels coincides with the ongoing sale and bursting of "green firecrackers," which are permitted between October 18 and 21 under Supreme Court orders. While this has offered temporary relief to traders, it has further strained the city's already worsening air quality.
According to officials, the concentration of fine particulate matter PM2.5 and PM10 has increased sharply, pushing Gurugram to the third position among Delhi-NCR cities in terms of air pollution levels. Vehicular emissions and construction activity are identified as the two main contributors, accounting for 70% and 30% of the city's pollution, respectively.
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To address the issue, authorities have launched anti-cracker awareness rallies and are conducting regular sampling of water, soil, and air. Inspections at construction sites are also being carried out to ensure compliance with dust-control norms, and surprise checks will be conducted at firecracker godowns to ensure only green crackers are being sold.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR and Adjoining Areas had already invoked stage one of the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap) on October 14, which is still in place. Forecasts by the Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS) suggest that the AQI might degrade to severe by Tuesday.
