In a rare and encouraging development, Delhi recorded its cleanest July air in ten years, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) dropping to 67 on July 23, 2025—classified as ‘satisfactory’ by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). This marked a significant departure from the capital’s usual pollution levels, which frequently fall into the ‘poor’ or ‘severe’ categories, especially during winter months.
Meteorological and Civic Factors Behind the Improvement
Experts attribute the cleaner air to a combination of favourable weather conditions, including consistent monsoon rainfall and improved wind patterns, which helped disperse pollutants and wash away particulate matter. Additionally, the Delhi government’s intensified civic operations played a crucial role. Over the past 24 hours, authorities cleared 10,987 metric tonnes of garbage, lifted 2,349.7 MT of construction and demolition waste, cleaned over 6,000 km of roads, and conducted water sprinkling across 26.35 km.
Legacy waste removal efforts also continued at major landfill sites, with 923.55 MT cleared on July 22 alone—487.55 MT from Bhalaswa and 436 MT from Ghazipur.
Government Response and Outlook
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa credited the improvement to the city’s multi-agency implementation model, emphasizing that the results were not a seasonal anomaly but the outcome of sustained, coordinated action. “This is not a seasonal blip—it is the result of continuous landfill action, intensified sweeping operations, and a clear commitment to outcome-based governance,” Sirsa stated.
So far in 2025, Delhi has recorded 118 days of ‘Good’, ‘Satisfactory’, or ‘Moderate’ air quality, a notable shift from previous years dominated by hazardous pollution levels.
AQI Trends and Public Health Implications
According to CPCB standards:
- 0–50: Good
- 51–100: Satisfactory
- 101–200: Moderate
- 201–300: Poor
- 301–400: Very Poor
- 401–500: Severe
The AQI readings for Delhi in late July were as follows:
- July 22: 103 (Moderate)
- July 23: 67 (Satisfactory)
- July 24: 76 at 9 AM, 92 at 7 PM (Satisfactory)
- July 25: 128 and 136 (Moderate)
- July 26: 91 at 9 AM (Satisfactory)
While the AQI has since returned to moderate levels, the brief period of cleaner air offers a glimpse into the potential impact of sustained environmental and regulatory measures. Experts caution that long-term gains will depend on continued enforcement, hotspot monitoring, and public cooperation.
