Sirsa records the highest air quality index of 403, Delhi logs 299 | Today’s news
Haryana’s Sirsa recorded the highest level of air pollution among northern cities early Wednesday, placing it in the severe category, while Delhi was in the poor category, according to the official mobile app developed by India’s Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Sirsa recorded an air quality index (AQI) of 403 at 7:05 am, while Delhi’s air quality index was 299, according to the SAMEER app.
Hisar (Haryana) ranked second with an AQI of 377, followed by Baghpat in Uttar Pradesh and Panchgaon in Haryana at 342 and 340, respectively. Bhiwani in Haryana recorded an AQI of 335 while Ballabhgarh recorded a value of 323.
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Sirsa recorded an AQI of 403 at 7:05 am, placing it in the severe category. Delhi recorded 299, which falls under the poor category.
CPCB classifies AQI values of 401–500 as severe and values of 201–300 as poor. Sirsa had 403 while Delhi had 299.
At severe levels, even healthy people can experience respiratory effects, and people with existing health problems can face more severe effects. Poor air quality can cause respiratory problems with long-term exposure, especially for people with respiratory problems.
CPCB classifies AQI 0–50 as good, 51–100 as satisfactory, 101–200 as moderate, 201–300 as poor, 301–400 as very poor, and 401–500 as severe.
Tier 3 bans certain older BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel or lower emission four-wheelers in Delhi and specified NCR districts and dust-generating construction and demolition activities across NCR. The restriction also applies to specified trucks with a diesel engine.
Anpara in Uttar Pradesh recorded an AQI of 318. Karnal recorded an AQI of 313 while Baraut and Bulandshahar in Uttar Pradesh recorded 311.
According to the CPCB classification, an AQI between 0 and 50 falls under the “good” category, a value between 51 and 100 is classified as “satisfactory”, while an AQI of 101–200 falls under the “moderate” category. An AQI between 201 and 300 is categorized as “poor”, which can cause breathing difficulties for people with prolonged exposure, especially those with respiratory problems.
Read also | India seeks clearer evidence on health impact of air pollution as smog worsens
“Very bad” means an AQI value between 301 and 400 and is associated with respiratory disease with long-term exposure, even in healthy people. The highest category, “severe,” refers to AQI levels between 401 and 500. At these pollution levels, even healthy people can experience respiratory effects, while those with existing medical conditions may face more severe effects.
The concentration of highly polluted cities in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi highlights the growing problem of air quality in northern India. The rise in pollution levels has renewed concerns about air quality in the region and the need for stricter enforcement of pollution control measures.
Local hotspots
In Delhi, areas with high pollution levels include Chhhawla (396), Chandni Chowk (379), Delhi University of Technology (375), IIT Delhi (375), North Campus, DU (374), ITO (367), Burari Crossing (362), Pusa (359), NIH Narela (3552), NSUTIT, Jaffar (350).
Phase 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is currently active across Delhi-NCR along with special vehicle and dust control rules that have been implemented from 1 November 2026. The GRAP is a set of emergency measures designed to prevent further deterioration of air quality once pollution levels exceed set thresholds.
In Phase 3 of GRAP, there is a ban on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel or sub-emission LMVs (four-wheelers) in Delhi and also in Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar districts. There is also a ban on dusty construction and demolition activities throughout the NCR.
BS-IV commercial diesel vehicles and lower medium trucks registered in Delhi are not allowed to ply, along with a total ban on entry into the capital for similar medium and light trucks registered outside Delhi.
Experts said strict implementation of pollution control measures is needed.
Read also | Center mulls ₹ 1,150 crore scheme to curb industrial pollution in NCR
