Delhi early winter air pollution reaches three-year high, study shows
Average PM2.5 levels in the week before Deepavali reached 236 micrograms per cubic metre, according to a Centre for Science and Environment analysis.
Delhi recorded its highest average PM2.5 concentration in the week preceding Deepavali in three years, according to an analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) released on Wednesday. The average concentration stood at 236 micrograms per cubic metre in 2026, according to The Hindu.
The CSE report stated that this level represents a 97 per cent increase over the 120 micrograms per cubic metre recorded in 2025 and a 32 per cent jump over the 179 micrograms per cubic metre seen in 2024. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director (research and advocacy) at the CSE, said the elevated levels before the festival show that baseline pollution is higher than in previous years.
Between November 1 and November 8, pollution transported from neighbouring National Capital Region (NCR) districts accounted for 54.43 per cent of Delhi’s PM2.5. Local sources contributed 33.06 per cent, while stubble burning accounted for 14.29 per cent, the analysis showed.
Among Delhi’s local pollution sources, vehicular transport was the dominant contributor at 52 per cent. Residential activities accounted for 13 per cent, peripheral industries for 11 per cent, and construction for 7 per cent, the CSE stated.
The study found that emergency traffic restrictions failed to reduce traffic volumes significantly. Roychowdhury noted that year-round emission control across key sources remained inadequate and that severe pollution episodes persist independently of declining farm fires.