New Delhi: Delhi’s air quality continues to worsen, with the capital ranking as the sixth most polluted city in India in October 2025, according to a report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). The city recorded an average PM2.5 concentration of 107 µg/m³, nearly three times higher than September’s levels, marking a steep rise in toxic air just ahead of winter.
Topping the list was Dharuhera in Haryana, which recorded an average PM2.5 level of 123 µg/m³ and breached the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) on more than 75% of the days in October. Other cities in the Delhi-NCR region also figured prominently in the list, reflecting the region’s worsening air crisis.
The report revealed that stubble burning accounted for less than 6% of Delhi’s particulate pollution last month—challenging the common belief that crop fires are the primary cause of the capital’s smog. Instead, the surge in pollution was largely linked to year-round emissions from vehicles, industries, construction dust, and waste burning.
Experts from CREA warned that the government’s reactive, seasonal measures, such as the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), are insufficient to combat the recurring crisis. They called for long-term structural reforms and consistent emission control policies to address what has become a chronic urban health hazard.
Environmentalists have urged immediate action, saying that without sustained efforts, Delhi’s air could reach “severe” levels sooner than expected this winter—posing grave risks to public health and climate resilience in the region.
