Stories
Delhi Records Most Polluted October Start in Four Years
C
CNBC TV18•03-10-2026, 11:40
Delhi Records Most Polluted October Start in Four Years
- •Delhi experienced its highest air pollution levels for the start of October in four years, with the average Air Quality Index (AQI) climbing to 166 on October 1.
- •An analysis by CREA revealed that Delhi had not seen a more polluted opening day of October since 2022, when the AQI reached 186.
- •Out of 44 monitoring stations, 37 registered 'moderate' readings, five were in the 'poor' zone, and only two remained 'satisfactory'.
- •Pollution hotspots included IIT Delhi (AQI 248), Jahangirpuri (218), Dwarka Sector 8 (214), and Narela (205).
- •The sudden increase in particulate levels follows an unusually clean September, which had the city's cleanest September in five years with a monthly average AQI of 102.
Key Questions Answered
Delhi's average Air Quality Index climbed to 166 on Thursday, October 1, keeping it within the moderate bracket according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board.
IIT Delhi recorded the worst air quality levels with an AQI of 248, followed by other pollution hotspots such as Jahangirpuri, Dwarka Sector 8, and Narela.
Delhi logged a monthly average AQI of 102 in September, making it the cleanest September in five years due to post-monsoon showers, before air pollution rose sharply at the start of October.
