Delhi AQI Stands at 214 as Winter Vehicle and Construction Curbs Take Effect

Delhi recorded an Air Quality Index of 214 at 7 a.m. on Sunday, placing the city in the poor category under Central Pollution Control Board data. Neighbouring Noida stood at 200, Ghaziabad at 194 and Greater Noida at 181. Gurugram registered 153 and Faridabad 95. Khanna in Punjab recorded the highest reading in the country at 320, in the very-poor range.

New restrictions took effect on 1 November. Vehicles registered outside Delhi that do not meet BS-VI emission standards are barred from entering the capital until 31 January. CNG and electric vehicles, along with ambulances, fire engines and police vehicles, remain exempt. The Transport Department estimates the ban could affect more than one million vehicles from Gurugram, Faridabad, Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad.

Dust-generating demolition and outdoor construction are prohibited through 31 January, except for essential public-infrastructure projects. Finishing, plumbing and electrical work may continue if dust-control measures are followed. From 20 December to 20 January all construction and demolition activity, including indoor work, will stop. Parking charges have doubled. Municipal Corporation of Delhi offices will operate from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Delhi government offices from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. until 28 February, with a 50 percent work-from-home expectation for many staff.

GRAP Stage I remains in force. The Commission for Air Quality Management reported that Delhi's average AQI for October 2026 was 166, lower than the October averages of 223 in 2025, 234 in 2024 and higher figures in earlier years. The current poor reading on 1 November indicates the seasonal rise has begun.

The measures aim to cut vehicle and construction emissions during the winter inversion period when pollutants remain trapped near the ground. Enforcement of the non-BS-VI ban will rely on automatic number-plate recognition at entry points. Construction-site inspections will check for dust suppression. Offices have been instructed to stagger hours to reduce peak-hour traffic.

Residents can check real-time readings on the Sameer app and CPCB website. Of 54 monitoring stations in the capital on Sunday morning, 31 showed poor air and three showed very poor. The remaining stations were in the moderate range. The next review of GRAP stages will depend on whether the AQI climbs further or stabilises under the new restrictions.

The winter plan runs until the end of January for the vehicle ban and until late February for office-hour adjustments. If the AQI enters the severe range, additional measures under higher GRAP stages can be activated within hours. The current package is the first full set of seasonal controls for 2026-27.