File photo (Picture credit: AP)
NEW DELHI: Delhi’s air pollution almost doubled in November, pushing the capital to the position of the fourth most polluted city in India, according to a report released by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).The analysis shows that despite a sharp drop in the impact of stubble burning compared to last year, pollution levels in the capital remained extremely severe throughout the month.The report said Delhi recorded a monthly average PM2.5 concentration of 215 micrograms per cubic metre in November, nearly twice its October average of 107 micrograms per cubic metre. The city saw 23 ‘very poor’ days, six ‘severe’ days and one ‘poor’ day. Stubble burning contributed an average of 7 per cent to Delhi’s pollution in November, a sharp fall from 20 per cent last year. Even its peak contribution reached only 22 per cent, lower than the 38 per cent recorded in November 2024.Air quality across India also worsened sharply, with nine of the ten most polluted cities recording higher PM2.5 levels than last year. Ghaziabad ranked as the most polluted city, averaging 224 micrograms per cubic metre and breaching the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) every day in November. Noida, Bahadurgarh, Hapur, Greater Noida, Baghpat, Sonipat, Meerut, Rohtak and Delhi also featured in the top ten. Uttar Pradesh accounted for six of these cities, followed by Haryana with three and Delhi with one.As per news agency PTI, CREA analyst Manoj Kumar said, “Despite a significant reduction in stubble-burning influence, 20 out of 29 NCR cities recorded higher pollution levels than the previous year… Without sector-specific emission cuts, cities will continue to breach standards”.Meanwhile, the Delhi government has set up a new Expert Group on Air Pollution Mitigation to provide science-based guidance on long-term and emergency pollution control measures. The group, chaired by former Union environment secretary Leena Nandan, will assess existing air quality programmes and recommend policy reforms.
