The overall air quality of the national capital continued to be in the “very poor” category on Saturday (November 8, 2025) and it is likely to be in the same level for at least the next three days.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday (November 8) said that the Delhi government will extend the benefits of the ‘Ujjwala Yojana’ to families who use traditional stoves or coal-fired heaters (angithis) as a measure to control air pollution, as per an official statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).
Launched in 2016, the primary objective of the ‘Ujjwala Yojana’ is to provide LPG connections to women from poor households without having to pay for installation, first refill, hose, regulator and stove.
The Chief Minister has directed the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) to conduct a comprehensive survey across all slum areas to identify families still using traditional stoves or coal-fired heaters.
“Based on the findings of the DUSIB survey, the government will prepare a list of families still dependent on traditional fuels and prioritise them for Ujjwala gas connections,” the statement said, without mentioning any deadline by when the women would actually get the free connection.
On Saturday (November 8), the CM was campaigning for the BJP in Tarn Taran of Punjab ahead of the by-election due next week. (AAP response awaited)
‘Very poor’
The contribution of stubble burning in neighbouring states to PM2.5 (a chief pollutant) in Delhi on November 8 was 8.64%, according to the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences data. This is predicted to rise to 32.3% on Sunday (November 9).
“The air quality is very likely to be in the Very Poor category from 09.11.2025 to 11.11.2025. The outlook for the subsequent 6 days: The air quality is likely to be in the Very Poor category,” said the Central government’s ‘Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi’.
Meanwhile, Delhi’s 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) was 361 (very poor) at 4 p.m. on Saturday (November 8), up from 322 (very poor) a day earlier, as per the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) daily official bulletin, which is considered as a day’s official AQI. A higher AQI means an increase in air pollution.
An AQI between 51 and 100 is “satisfactory”, 101 and 200 is termed as “moderate”, 201 and 300 “poor”, 301 and 400 “very poor”, and 401 and 500 “severe”, as per the CPCB.
Every winter, air pollution spikes in Delhi-NCR and many parts of the larger Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP), mainly due to meteorological factors such as lower wind speed and a drop in temperature. And pollution from stubble burning during October-November and bursting of firecrackers worsens it.
The Delhi government has also advised people to opt for carpooling, use public transport more frequently and encourage private institutions to give preference to work-from-home arrangements in view of the prevailing pollution situation. But this is not mandatory and is issued almost every year during winters.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) said in a statement that there is increased street sweeping with machines and intensified water sprinkling on roads to reduce dust. Also, regular checking and monitoring of pollution-emitting vehicles, with special attention by transport officials.
“Last year, GRAP Stage 3 was enforced from November 13; this year, authorities are monitoring pollution trends closely and will escalate measures as needed, including closure of select activities deemed harmful to air quality if thresholds are crossed,” the statement said.
Amid doubts raised by experts and activists about the authenticity of the AQI data, the DPCC said that for six out of seven past days, Delhi’s AQI levels have been better than those recorded on corresponding days last year.
Optional: The Chief Minister said that in coordination with all civic agencies, the Delhi Government is working at a war footing across the city to bring pollution under control and ensure a cleaner, healthier capital for all.
Published – November 09, 2025 03:10 am IST
