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Gurgaon Records Highest September AQI in 3 Years Amid Late-Month Pollution Spike
M
Moneycontrol•01-10-2026, 07:44
Gurgaon Records Highest September AQI in 3 Years Amid Late-Month Pollution Spike
- •Gurgaon experienced its most polluted September in three years, with the average Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 114.8, a 26% increase from 2024 and 35% from 2025.
- •The significant rise in pollution was primarily driven by a sharp deterioration in air quality during the second half of September.
- •From September 20 to 24, Gurgaon saw five days of high pollution, with the AQI crossing 200 on four days and peaking at 242 ('poor' category) on September 22.
- •Residents reported noticing increased dust and haze, expressing concern about the upcoming winter pollution season.
- •Experts suggest the late-September spike needs further assessment considering meteorological conditions and emission build-up, noting it's too early to predict an exceptionally polluted winter.
Key Questions Answered
Gurgaon recorded an average air quality index (AQI) of 114.8 in September 2026, marking its highest September average in three years. This figure was 26% higher than the 91.1 recorded in 2024 and approximately 35% higher than the 84.9 seen in 2025.
The spike occurred during the second half of the month, specifically across a five-day period from September 20 to 24. During these days, the average AQI reached 221.2, peaking at 242 in the 'poor' category on September 22.
Despite the increase from the previous two years, September 2026 remained less polluted than several earlier periods. The average September AQI was higher in 2023 at 140.8, in 2017 at 133.4, in 2022 at 118.6, and in 2020 at 117.7.
