Air quality in Delhi improved to the ‘poor’ category on Saturday, with the air quality index (AQI) of 222 registered around 7 am, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Air quality data reported an improvement since the New Year as “strong winds and favorable weather conditions” brought relief from alarming pollution levels.
Several monitoring stations across the capital reported “poor” AQI, with only Jahangirpuri recording “very poor” air quality at 302. As many as 11 of Delhi’s 37 monitoring stations recorded “moderate” air quality on 3 January. Mandir Marg reported the best AQI value of 126 on Saturday morning.
Following a significant improvement in air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Friday scrapped GRAP Phase 3 curbs in the Delhi-NCR region. However, all pollution control measures under Stages I and II of the GRAP would remain in place.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has suggested that the AQI reading will be in the ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’ range in the coming days. Delhi’s AQI has shown significant improvement due to strong winds and favorable weather conditions and recorded 236 on 02/01/2026. Further, the IMD/IITM forecast predicts that AQI will remain in the poor to very poor category in the coming days,” said a CAQM press release.
Today’s weather in Delhi
The Met Office issued a yellow warning and predicted heavy fog for January 3 and 4. Despite the fog warning, Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) reported visibility of 1,800 meters at 5:30 am and no disruption to air traffic was reported today.
The IMD has predicted a cold wave for the capital and predicted similar weather conditions to prevail for the next three days.
The IMD in its latest weather bulletin said: “Mainly clear skies. Light fog at many places with dense fog at isolated places during morning hours. Maximum and minimum temperatures in Delhi are likely to be in the range of 17°C to 19°C and 6°C to 8°C respectively. Minimum temperature will be near normal and maximum will be 2.3°C (0.3) above normal Delhi°C above 3°C.”
