Air pollution levels in Delhi remained severe on Monday, December 15, with the Air Quality Index recorded at 457. This was just four units below the record AQI levels seen on Sunday.
Delhi’s AQI climbed to 461 on Sunday, marking the city’s most polluted day this winter and the second-worst December air quality day on record, news agency PTI reported.
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According to the AQI categorization, values between 0-50 are classified as “good”, 51-100 “satisfactory”, 101-200 “moderate”, 201-300 “bad”, 301-400 “very bad” and 401-500.
The Air Quality and Weather Bulletin for Delhi, according to Safar, predicted that “Air quality is likely to be very poor from 12/15/2025 to 12/17/2025.”
Thick haze and strong AQI
Air quality in Wazirpur remained at 500 in the morning on Monday, December 15, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Meanwhile, dense haze was reported in areas including Ghazipur, ITO area and Anand Vihar where visibility was very low on Sunday.
According to the CPCB, several locations across the city continued to show “severe” air quality.
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Among the regions that recorded “severe” air quality on Sunday were Noida (AQI at 466), Greater Noida (435), Ghaziabad (459), Delhi (461), Bahadurgarh (464), Baghpat (429), according to a Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) bulletin issued at 4 p.m.
Bawana recorded the highest AQI of 497 at 7 am on Sunday. Narela recorded an AQI of 492 and Okhla Phase 2 recorded an AQI of 474. In contrast, NSIT Dwarka recorded the lowest AQI of 411, according to CPCB data.
India tightens pollution curbs
India has tightened anti-pollution measures in Delhi and surrounding areas after the capital’s air quality worsened to the worst of the season.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Saturday evening invoked the fourth, highest tier of the tiered response action plan for Delhi and its environs, as recommended by the environment ministry.
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Stage IV GRAP brings the strictest restrictions in Delhi-NCR. Includes:
1. Ban on all construction and demolition activities in Delhi-NCR.
2. Entry of trucks into Delhi is stopped, except for those carrying essential commodities or providing essential services. However, CNG, LNG, electric and BS-VI diesel trucks are allowed.
3. Driving Delhi-registered diesel heavy goods vehicles (BS-IV and below) is prohibited, again with exceptions only for essential services.
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4. Schools are required to conduct courses in hybrid mode (online and physical) not only for primary students but also for upper classes (VI to IX and XI) in Delhi and the most affected districts of NCR, with students having the option to attend online where possible.
5. State governments are being asked to consider other emergency steps such as closing colleges and educational institutions, shutting down non-essential commercial activities and even imposing rules on odd and even cars if the pollution situation worsens further.
Health risks
Long-term exposure to “bad” air can cause breathing difficulties for most people, not just those with pre-existing health conditions. This level has become increasingly common in several parts of the capital over the winter.
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Levels between 301 and 400 are classified as “very bad” and pose a risk of respiratory disease, even in healthy individuals, if exposure continues for a long period of time. The most dangerous category “Severe” includes AQI values from 401 to 500. At this stage, air quality becomes dangerous for everyone.
