The cleaner PM2.5 levels also coincided with favourable weather conditions during the month.

Ozone does not produce the haze associated with PM pollution. However, its public-health implications should not be downplayed.

Over the years, January PM2.5 levels in Delhi have typically ranged well above safe limits, often crossing 150 micrograms per cubic metre, before dropping during monsoon.

While Haryana’s 2022 EV policy offers subsidies and tax exemptions, RWA heads point to friction between residents over setting up charging stations.

Experts explain the need to focus pollution fight on transport sector, flag various policy challenges.

At the heart of the air pollution crisis in Delhi-NCR is a familiar pattern seen during winters in North India.

In A step against polluting units across NCR, directions have been issued regarding the closure of all industries in the red and yellow category, and carrying out certain non-polluting operations.

In A step against polluting units across NCR, directions have been issued regarding the closure of all industries in the red and yellow category, and carrying out certain non-polluting operations.

An AQI of 301–400 is classified as ‘very poor’, while 401–500 falls into the ‘severe’ category.

An AQI of 301–400 is classified as ‘very poor’, while 401–500 falls into the ‘severe’ category.

Delhi carried out two back-to-back cloud-seeding trials on Tuesday, hoping to trigger light showers that could scrub pollutants from the air

The cloud-seeding operation is part of a pilot project led by IIT-Kanpur to tackle air pollution. Two trials were held at 12.15 pm and 3.55 pm

Delhi carried out two back-to-back cloud-seeding trials on Tuesday, hoping to trigger light showers that could scrub pollutants from the air

The cloud-seeding operation is part of a pilot project led by IIT-Kanpur to tackle air pollution. Two trials were held at 12.15 pm and 3.55 pm

According to locals from the area, the activity has been ongoing post Diwali

According to locals from the area, the activity has been ongoing post Diwali

Source apportionment data from the Decision Support System (DSS) for air quality management shows that the mix of pollution sources impacting Delhi has changed since Diwali on October 20.

Delhi’s air quality stayed in the “very poor” range two days after Diwali, with an AQI of 353. Data from the Decision Support System showed that over 36% of the pollution came from “unaccounted sources”, meaning emissions not clearly identified or tracked. Transport, industry, and waste burning also added to the problem. Sunil Dahiya from Envirocatalysts explained that these unaccounted sources likely include power plants, industries, and crop burning in nearby states, which are not properly captured in pollution records.

Studies have previously shown that the city’s particulate matter levels spike sharply in the days leading up to and during Diwali

The pollution build-up in Noida has been peaking between 7 pm and midnight — a pattern distinct from Delhi where spikes tend to occur later at night.