Delhi's Air Quality Shows Notable Improvement: Clean Air Days Increase, Stubble Burning Eliminated
According to the latest Economic Survey report, Delhi has witnessed a significant improvement in air quality, with the number of days when the Air Quality Index (AQI) remained below 201 increasing from 159 in 2018 to 200 in 2025. This positive trend represents a substantial enhancement in the capital's atmospheric conditions over the past seven years.
Stubble Burning Completely Eliminated in Delhi
The report delivers particularly encouraging news regarding agricultural practices, confirming that no stubble burning took place in Delhi during the winter season of 2025-26. This marks a critical achievement in the fight against seasonal pollution spikes that have historically plagued the National Capital Region.
The Consortium for Research on Agroecosystem Monitoring and Modelling from Space (CREAMS) laboratory, operating from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute and following the standard protocol 2021 notified by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), initially detected five paddy residue burning events via satellite monitoring. However, subsequent physical verification revealed that none of these incidents constituted actual stubble or paddy residue burning.
"No case of stubble burning in Delhi has taken place in the present paddy harvesting season because of intense monitoring and awareness generated among paddy cultivators by the development department," the Economic Survey report stated emphatically.
Detailed AQI Progress Over Recent Years
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data reveals a consistent pattern of improvement in Delhi's air quality metrics:
- Days with AQI below 201: 163 in 2022, 206 in 2023, 209 in 2024, and 200 in 2025
- Days with AQI surpassing 400: 20 in 2018, compared to just 8 in 2025
- Intermediate years showed 6 such days in 2022, 15 in 2023, and 17 in 2024
This data demonstrates a clear reduction in extreme pollution episodes alongside an increase in days with acceptable air quality levels.
Comprehensive Action Against Industrial Pollution
To address pollution from illegal industrial units, authorities conducted a first-ever comprehensive survey of polluting industries across notified industrial areas, redevelopment zones, and non-conforming regions in Delhi. Based on these findings:
- The Delhi Pollution Control Committee sealed over 700 air and water polluting units in conforming areas
- The Municipal Corporation of Delhi sealed more than 300 air and water polluting units in non-conforming areas
Furthermore, the report highlights a significant transition toward cleaner industrial fuels. Out of 2,049 total industries in Delhi, 1,890 now operate on Piped Natural Gas (PNG), while 67 use approved LPG. The remaining 92 industries have been relocated outside Delhi's boundaries.
Yamuna River Pollution Challenges Persist
Despite progress in air quality, the report acknowledges ongoing challenges with water pollution in the Yamuna River. Haryana releases 10 cubic meters per second (cumecs) of water at Hathnikund during lean seasons, but most of this water evaporates or percolates before reaching Wazirabad, making it insufficient to meet dilution requirements for achieving desired water quality standards.
"The Yamuna, the reason for Delhi's existence, has suffered heavily from pollution, which is due to the flow of untreated or partially treated sewage and industrial effluents," the report noted, highlighting the need for continued attention to water quality issues.
Substantial Green Cover Expansion Initiatives
Delhi's forest department, in collaboration with 21 greening agencies, has implemented ambitious afforestation programs under the Green Action Plan 2025-26. As of January 2026, they have planted 53.7 lakh saplings, comprising:
- 4.8 lakh trees
- 41.8 lakh shrubs
- 2 lakh bamboos
This effort was complemented by the strategic distribution of 5 lakh seedlings to the public, encouraging community participation in environmental conservation.
The forest department achieved another significant milestone by notifying 4,080.8 hectares of the Southern Ridge as reserved forest under the Indian Forest Act on October 24. This expansion brings the total reserved forest area to 4,177 hectares, fundamentally reinforcing the legal framework and long-term efficacy of institutional conservation efforts in the capital region.
