NEW DELHI — Delhi's air quality improved by a statistically significant 28% in 2024 compared to the previous year, according to the Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) annual Air Quality Report released on Wednesday — the largest single-year improvement in the capital's recorded history.
The improvement is attributed to a convergence of factors: the successful extension of the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) shifting 85,000 daily car commuters off roads, the deployment of 3,200 new electric DTC buses replacing the oldest diesel fleet, and the first year of satellite-monitored stubble burning penalties in Haryana and Punjab.
Still Work to Do
Despite the improvement, Delhi continues to rank among the world's most polluted capitals. The city recorded Severe AQI (above 400) on 18 days in 2024 — down from 34 days in 2023 — but air quality experts caution that the gains could be partially reversed if the La Niña weather pattern brings calmer winter winds in 2025.
Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced an expanded real-time AQI monitoring network, with 200 new sensors being installed across all 272 wards. A new AI-powered pollution forecasting system, developed with IIT Delhi, will provide 72-hour advance warnings to allow pre-emptive GRAP restrictions.