Delhi witnessed a marginal improvement in air quality on Friday, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) slipping into the ‘poor’ category. Official data showed the city’s average AQI at 292, offering limited relief after pollution levels had touched the ‘severe’ mark earlier this week.

The improvement comes days after Delhi recorded an AQI of 412 on December 23, placing air quality firmly in the ‘severe’ category. Over the last two days, pollution levels have shown a gradual decline across multiple monitoring stations in the national capital.

Some stations record moderate air quality

According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board’s Sameer mobile application, three locations reported ‘moderate’ air quality as of early morning. Lodhi Road-IITM recorded an AQI of 160, Lodhi Road-IMD stood at 194, while Najafgarh reported 188.

Several other parts of the city remained in the ‘poor’ category. Areas including Aya Nagar, CRRI Mathura Road, Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range, Dwarka Sector 8, IGI Airport Terminal 3, IIT Delhi, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and Mandir Marg recorded AQI values ranging between the low 200s and high 200s.

Very poor air persists in pollution hotspots

Despite the overall improvement, many parts of Delhi continued to struggle with ‘very poor’ air quality. Anand Vihar, Bawana, Jahangirpuri, Narela, Nehru Nagar, Sonia Vihar and Vivek Vihar reported some of the highest AQI readings, with values crossing 350 at several locations.

In view of the easing pollution levels, the Commission for Air Quality Management lifted Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage-IV restrictions across the Delhi-National Capital Region on December 24. Officials indicated that further relaxations could be considered if the downward trend in pollution continues.

Mixed air quality across NCR

Air quality in neighbouring NCR regions showed mixed trends. In Haryana, Bahadurgarh recorded a ‘very poor’ AQI of 301, while Gurugram’s overall AQI stood at 270, falling in the ‘poor’ category. One monitoring station in Gurugram’s Sector 51 reported ‘very poor’ air quality with an AQI of 375. Dharuhera also remained in the ‘poor’ range.

In Uttar Pradesh, pollution levels stayed elevated. Ghaziabad recorded an overall AQI of 344, with all monitoring stations reporting ‘very poor’ air quality. Greater Noida’s AQI stood at 362, while Knowledge Park-V and Knowledge Park-III recorded AQI levels of 386 and 337 respectively. Noida also remained in the ‘very poor’ category with an AQI of 334.

Authorities have restricted the entry of non-BS 6 vehicles into Delhi, a move that has blocked around 1.2 million older vehicles registered outside the city. Vehicular emissions remain a key contributor to winter pollution, with experts estimating that vehicles account for up to 40 per cent of particulate matter pollution in the NCR.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday paid floral tributes to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the ‘Sadaiv Atal’ memorial in New Delhi on the occasion of his 101st birth anniversary. Remembering Vajpayee’s legacy, the Prime Minister said that true leadership is not established by position, but by conduct.

Several dignitaries were present at the memorial to pay homage to the former Prime Minister, who remains one of the most respected figures in Indian politics.

PM Modi remembers Vajpayee’s conduct and values

In a message shared on social media platform X, Prime Minister Modi described Atal Bihari Vajpayee as a statesman whose behaviour, dignity and unwavering commitment to national interest set a benchmark for Indian politics. He said Vajpayee’s life continues to inspire the nation and highlights that leadership is determined by character rather than authority.

The Prime Minister also shared a Sanskrit verse, noting that the actions of great leaders guide society, and said this principle was clearly reflected throughout Vajpayee’s public life.

‘Nation always came first for Atal ji’

Prime Minister Modi further said that Vajpayee’s birth anniversary is an opportunity for everyone to draw inspiration from his life. He highlighted Vajpayee’s conduct, grace, ideological firmness and resolve to place the nation’s interest above all else as an ideal standard for public life.

Through his life and work, Vajpayee demonstrated that excellence and greatness are shaped by values and conduct, not merely by holding office, the Prime Minister said. The remarks were shared with inputs from media.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the Opposition during proceedings in the State Assembly, accusing rival parties of indulging in selective outrage and appeasement politics while remaining silent on incidents involving Hindus in neighbouring countries, particularly Bangladesh.

Referring to recent incidents across the border, the Chief Minister said the Opposition raises its voice on international issues selectively but avoids speaking out when minorities, especially Hindus, are targeted in nearby nations.

“You shed tears over developments in Gaza, but not a single word comes out when a Dalit youth is killed in Bangladesh,” Adityanath said in the Assembly, alleging that such silence exposes the Opposition’s political priorities.

The Chief Minister further claimed that incidents of violence against Hindus would not have occurred had Pakistan and Bangladesh not been created, reiterating that issues are often viewed through the prism of vote bank politics. He said candle marches are organised for global events, but killings of Hindus in Pakistan or Bangladesh do not evoke similar responses.

Adityanath also called for a condemnation resolution in the Assembly, stating that it should ideally come from the Leader of the Opposition. He said such a resolution should clearly condemn the killing and convey a warning to the Bangladesh government.

Allegations over illegal immigration

Targeting the Opposition on the issue of illegal immigration, the Chief Minister alleged that they support Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingyas. He claimed that when authorities take action to expel illegal immigrants, Opposition leaders come out in their defence, alleging that many of them have been facilitated with voter registrations and Aadhaar cards.

Meanwhile, tensions between India and Bangladesh have been visible following recent developments. India summoned the Bangladesh High Commissioner for the second time in a week amid concerns arising from incidents in the neighbouring country.

The summons came in the backdrop of protests in Bangladesh following the killing of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi and the lynching of Dipu Chandra Das in separate incidents. Dipu Das, a 27-year-old youth from Mymensingh district, was beaten to death by a mob over alleged blasphemy on December 18, and his body was later set on fire, triggering widespread outrage.

The Interim Government of Bangladesh condemned the incident. Education Adviser C R Abrar visited the bereaved family on behalf of the government, expressed condolences, and assured them of financial and welfare assistance. The Office of the Chief Adviser also reiterated its resolve to protect all citizens and ensure justice in the case.

The killing has once again raised concerns at the international level over the safety and security of minorities in Bangladesh, with minority groups demanding strict action against those responsible.