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Delhi's AQI Doubles in October, Winter Curbs Introduced Early
M
Moneycontrol•29-09-2026, 15:48
Delhi's AQI Doubles in October, Winter Curbs Introduced Early
- •Delhi's average AQI more than doubled from September to October between 2021-2025, a trend seen across seven major cities but sharper in the capital.
- •Mumbai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata also experienced significant AQI increases, while southern cities like Chennai and Bengaluru saw more muted rises.
- •Delhi's October AQI of 212 during 2021-25 was nearly double Mumbai's 114, highlighting its unique pollution challenge.
- •The Delhi government is implementing early winter measures, including a "No PUCC, No Fuel" rule, construction restrictions, and limits on older out-of-state vehicles.
- •These new restrictions are proactive and operate during specified winter periods, unlike the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) which is an emergency framework triggered by worsening AQI thresholds.
Key Questions Answered
Between 2021 and 2025, Delhi's average AQI more than doubled, rising by over 100 percent from 100 in September to 212 in October.
The government plans a city-wide enforcement campaign under the "No PUCC, No Fuel" rule, utilizing Automatic Number Plate Recognition systems at fuel stations to identify vehicles lacking valid pollution certificates.
Unlike GRAP, which progressively imposes emergency restrictions as the AQI worsens, the new plan implements specific winter curbs during fixed periods rather than waiting for pollution to cross standard thresholds.
