The Centre told Parliament that Delhi has recorded a noticeable improvement in its air quality this year, reporting the lowest average AQI between 2018 and 2025 when the Covid lockdown period is excluded. According to the written reply in the Lok Sabha, the number of “good air days” has steadily risen, with 200 days in 2025 registering an AQI below 200 compared to only 110 such days in 2016. At the same time, the number of days in the ‘poor’ and ‘severe’ categories has declined from 71 in 2024 to 50 so far this year.
The government said this progress reflects the impact of sustained anti-pollution measures, particularly the 95 directives issued by the Commission for Air Quality Management to a range of departments and agencies. Parliament was further informed that the Graded Response Action Plan has been updated to trigger restrictions earlier, based on weather forecasts and pollution trends, to prevent pollution peaks during the winter months.
Delhi has also received Central assistance under the National Clean Air Programme, which the government said has funded measures such as the purchase of mechanical road sweepers and deployment of anti-smog guns to reduce dust dispersion. Real-time emission monitoring tools are being used to strengthen the city’s capacity to track pollution sources and respond more quickly during high-pollution phases.
