PATIALA: The air quality in Delhi and surrounding regions remains hazardous despite the absence of stubble burning in Punjab, with air quality in Delhi consistently falling into the “poor” and “very poor” categories in recent months. While pollution levels in Punjab have remained moderate, Delhi has experienced a significant drop in air quality, especially in January and February.
In January and February this year, Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 355 (very poor) and 218 (poor), while in Punjab, the AQI was much lower at 149 (moderate) and 112 (moderate), with no significant crop burning during these months. In March, Delhi’s AQI was 176, while Punjab’s stood at 99.
The pattern has been consistent over the past few years. In January and February 2023, Delhi’s AQI was 311 (very poor) and 237 (poor), while Punjab’s AQI remained at a relatively moderate level—158 and 130, respectively. Similarly, in 2022, Delhi’s AQI ranged from 279 to 217, while Punjab’s AQI remained in the 100s, showing much lower pollution levels.
In comparison, during the first three months of 2021, Delhi recorded AQIs as high as 324, 288, and 233, while Punjab’s pollution levels were far lower at 121, 121, and 108.
The trend has been similar in previous years, with Delhi consistently reporting much worse air quality than Punjab, even when crop residue burning is not a major contributor in the region.
Officials in Punjab have often attributed the rising pollution levels in Delhi to the city’s internal pollution sources, especially during winter when crop residue burning in Punjab and Haryana peaks. However, this blame game persists as Delhi continues to grapple with severe air quality issues in the colder months.
