The NCR’s overall AQI remains stuck in the ‘Very Poor’ category at 337, with key hotspots like Noida and Bawana approaching ‘Severe’ levels as winter fog reduces visibility.
November 26, 2025: The national capital region continues to struggle under the grip of severe air pollution, compounded by the onset of winter weather. On Wednesday morning, a thin layer of fog settled over landmarks like India Gate and Kartavya Path, reducing visibility and trapping pollutants across the city.
According to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 337 as of 7 a.m., firmly lodged in the ‘Very Poor’ category. Of the 39 monitoring stations across the national capital, 34 recorded ‘Very Poor’ air quality.
NCR Hotspots Near ‘Severe’
While the city’s average showed only a marginal improvement from the previous day, multiple localities soared past the 350-mark, edging dangerously close to the ‘Severe’ threshold (401-500).
| Area | AQI (Approx. 7 a.m.) | Category |
| Bawana | 382 | Very Poor |
| Rohini | 376 | Very Poor |
| Anand Vihar | 364 | Very Poor |
| ITO | 360 | Very Poor |
| Noida Sector 125 | 399 | Very Poor (Near Severe) |
In the wider NCR, Noida continued to battle toxic air, with the Sector 125 station reaching an AQI of 399, just one point shy of the ‘Severe’ classification.
Pollution Forecast and Winter Chill
The Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi has issued a grim forecast: pollution is expected to remain in the ‘Very Poor’ range from November 26 to 28, with conditions likely to fluctuate between ‘Very Poor’ and ‘Severe’ over the following six days.
The key driver of pollution this week remains vehicular emissions, estimated to contribute over 21% of Delhi’s air contaminants. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted moderate fog on Wednesday, with the minimum temperature settling around $9^{\circ}\text{C}$, further trapping the pollutants near the surface and offering little immediate relief for residents.