The national capital, Delhi, awoke to a thick blanket of haze and smog on Thursday, October 30, 2025, as the city’s air quality sharply deteriorated, trapping pollutants and reducing visibility.
According to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) at 10 am, the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) for Delhi was recorded at 366, pushing the city firmly into the ‘Very Poor’ category. This marks a significant worsening from the previous day’s 24-hour average of 279 (in the ‘Poor’ category) and Tuesday’s 294.
Pollution Hotspots Hit ‘Severe’ Levels
While the overall average was ‘Very Poor’, several major areas in the city recorded alarmingly high pollution readings, with some entering the most critical tier, ‘Severe’ (AQI 401-500).
| Area | AQI (9 am) | Category |
| Ashoke Vihar | 408 | Severe |
| Wazirpur | 399 | Very Poor |
| Jahangirpuri | 394 | Very Poor |
| Sonia Vihar | 382 | Very Poor |
| ITO | 374 | Very Poor |
| Burari | 373 | Very Poor |
| Punjabi Bagh | 372 | Very Poor |
The pollution surge follows post-Diwali celebrations, where firecrackers contributed to a toxic cocktail of suspended particulate matter. Forecasters predict that the city’s air quality will fluctuate between the ‘Poor’ and ‘Very Poor’ categories over the next few days.
Status of Anti-Pollution Measures
The authorities continue to implement the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage 2 and deploy physical measures to mitigate the dust and smog.
I. Disappointing Cloud Seeding Results
The much-anticipated cloud seeding trials, conducted by the Delhi government in collaboration with IIT Kanpur as part of its air quality management strategy, have yet to produce favorable outcomes.
- Failed Attempts: Two cloud seeding attempts were carried out on Tuesday.
- Reason: Both attempts failed to generate the predicted artificial rain because the moisture content in the clouds, estimated by the IMD, was low (around 10-15%), which is insufficient for effective cloud seeding.
- Postponement: The planned cloud seeding attempt for Wednesday was postponed for the same reason—a lack of adequate moisture in the clouds.
- IIT Kanpur’s Claim: Despite the absence of rain, IIT Kanpur released a statement suggesting that the process did lead to a measurable reduction of major pollutants, including PM2.5 and PM10, arguing that the process is highly dependent on suitable atmospheric conditions.
II. New Mobility Restrictions Under GRAP Stage 2
To discourage the use of private vehicles and control emissions, two significant measures have been announced:
- NDMC Doubles Parking Fees: The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) on Wednesday announced a doubling of parking fees across all its off-road and indoor parking facilities. This move, aimed at discouraging private vehicle users, came into effect following the invocation of GRAP Stage-II.
- Ban on Non-BS-VI Goods Vehicles: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has prohibited the entry of commercial goods vehicles registered outside the national capital that do not comply with BS-VI emission standards, effective from November 1. These non-BS-VI compliant commercial goods vehicles will only be allowed to enter the city until October 31, 2026.
Other ongoing measures include the deployment of truck-mounted water sprinklers across the city to settle down dust particles.