The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM), since its inception in 2021, through a series of firm steps, has initiated various policy measures and field actions towards abatement of air pollution in Delhi-NCR.
Continual, concerted and persistent efforts of all the stakeholders round the year also in 2024 have further helped to improve the general air quality in Delhi as is evident from a record 209 days during 2024 with the AQI falling below 200 i.e., in “Good – Moderate” air quality category. Barring the COVID year 2020, which witnessed long spells of very low anthropogenic, industrial and commercial activities during the COVID, owing to complete lockdowns and other restrictions, the year 2024 recorded the highest number of ‘Good to Moderate’ air quality days.
Delhi witnessed the best ever average AQI for the months of February and December during 2024, since 2018. The month of August, 2024 also recorded the best ever average AQI since 2018, discounting the COVID year 2020. Further, second best daily average AQI was recorded during 2024 in 2 months (March and April) since 2018, barring COVID affected 2020.
Absolutely still / very low speed wind conditions during January, 2024 led to an abnormally high average AQI of 355, which is the highest for the month of January from 2018 to 2024. The month of May suffered the worst ever average AQI in 2024, on this account for the period between 2018 to 2024.
