Delhi's average AQI slightly better this year compared to 2024: CAQM

New Delhi, Nov 10 (PTI) The average air quality in Delhi has shown a marginal improvement this year, with the AQI recorded at 175 between January 1 and November 9, compared to 189 during the same period last year, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) said on Monday.

The levels of PM2.5 and PM10 have also declined to 75 microgram per cubic metre and 170 microgram per cubic metre respectively, from 87 microgram per cubic metre and 191 microgram per cubic metre in 2024.

The commission in a statement said a sharp decline in farm fire incidents has been observed in Punjab and Haryana.

Punjab reported 4,062 cases between September 15 and November 9 this year, down by 35.2 per cent from 6,266 during the same period last year.

Haryana recorded a 65.3 per cent reduction, with only 333 fire events compared to 959 in 2024.

Senior CAQM officials are regularly reviewing the situation with state governments and other agencies to ensure strict enforcement of statutory directions against stubble burning, the panel said.

The statement said over 23 lakh tonnes of legacy waste have been bio-mined in Delhi, while an additional 7,000 tonnes per day of waste-to-energy and 750 TPD of bio-CNG capacity are being developed. Surveillance at landfill sites has been strengthened with CCTV cameras, methane detectors and fire-suppression systems.

Measures under Stages I and II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) are in force across NCR since October to prevent further deterioration in air quality.

CAQM said all inter-city buses from NCR states now operate on cleaner fuels and entry of BS-III and below commercial goods vehicles into Delhi has been banned from November 1.

Nearly 96 per cent of NCR industries have shifted to approved fuels and over 1,500 non-compliant units have been shut.

Over 4.37 crore saplings have been planted across NCR so far this year, exceeding annual targets, the commission said. PTI GVS NB NB