Delhi Air Quality Improves, Only 10 ‘Severe’ AQI Days Recorded This Winter: Bhupender Yadav

New Delhi: Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav said that this time in the winter of 2025-26 (from October to January), there will be only 10 days of 'severe' pollution in Delhi. There were 31 days in 2016-17.  That means there has been a lot of improvement. When Manish Tiwari asked, the minister told him while feeling very proud.

Has the National Clean Air Program done any work or is it just on paper?

Under NCAP, work is going on in 130 cities and results are also visible. PM10 levels in 103 cities reduced in 2024-25 as compared to 2017-18. In 64 cities there was a decline of more than 20% and there are 25 cities where the decline was more than 40%.

How much has Delhi's average AQI actually improved?

The average AQI of Delhi was 225 in 2018, now it will come down to 201 in 2025. That means a reduction of 24 points! The minister said that the concrete steps taken now are paying off. This time, even after Diwali, people's throats are not much sore.

Was the company's class held or not this time?

Corporate Affairs Minister Harsh Malhotra said that in just the first 9 months of 2025-26, a fine of more than Rs 55 crore was imposed on 703 companies. Last year, Rs 109 crore was recovered from 1066 companies. So far this year, Rs 7.51 crore has been recovered. The company that is not following the law is doomed!

Has the steel cartel been caught?

Yes, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharama said that CCI is investigating the cartel of steel companies. This year, 54 anti-competition cases have been registered and 149 mergers have also been approved. This means that if someone messes up in the market, the government's eyes are wide open.

How many proposals for excavation did the people of Tamil Nadu send to Delhi?

In the last 5 years, Tamil Nadu State Archeology Department has sent 45 proposals to the Center for excavation. Only 12 were sent in 2025 and currently 8 are under consideration. Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that we are fully cooperating as per the order of Madras High Court.