Delhi's air quality index slipped back into the 'very poor' category on Thursday, reaching 311, as stubble burning in neighboring states intensified. Farm fires in Punjab hit 351 instances, the second-highest this season, contributing significantly to the pollution. Students protested at Jantar Mantar demanding government action, while authorities reinstated bus parking at a key hotspot to curb emissions.
A thin layer of smog covered Delhi on Thursday, November 7, 2025, as the city's 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) rose to 311, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). This marked a reversal from two days of improvement, with Wednesday's AQI at 202 aided by favorable winds, Tuesday's at 291, and Monday's at 309. The deterioration coincided with a spike in stubble burning: Punjab recorded 351 instances, the second-highest daily count this pre-winter season after 442 on November 1. Uttar Pradesh saw 200 fires, Haryana 35, Rajasthan 83, Madhya Pradesh 354, and Delhi none.
Satellite data from Wednesday detected 94 incidents in Punjab, 13 in Haryana, and 74 in Uttar Pradesh. The Air Quality Early Warning System forecasted stubble burning as the top contributor to Delhi's PM2.5, at 21.5% on Thursday, rising to 36.9% on Friday and 32.4% on Saturday—up from 1.2% on Wednesday. Transport followed as the second-largest source, at 16.2% on Thursday. Winds were expected to slow below 10 kmph from the northwest, keeping AQI in the 'very poor' category through November 8. Among 254 monitored cities, Delhi ranked fourth most polluted, behind Rohtak's 348.
In response, students and activists from groups like Naujawan Bharat Sabha, Disha Students Organization, Progressive Artists League, and Revolutionary Workers Party of India gathered at Jantar Mantar. They held placards reading “Pollution me saans lena is not funny” and “Smash capitalism, Save Environment,” and chanted “AQI 400 paar, ab kahan hai Modi sarkar.” Chiranshu from Scientists for Society claimed 17,000 annual deaths from poor air quality. Priyamvada from Campaign for Right to Public Health urged better public transport to reduce vehicle emissions, while Keshav from Disha called for a youth-led mass movement. Protesters drew lung illustrations on the ground to highlight health impacts.
Meanwhile, the Delhi government reinstated interim bus parking at Anand Vihar ISBT, a pollution hotspot. Previously closed in October 2024 due to buses lingering, the facility now charges Rs 100 for 30 minutes to 8 hours and Rs 200 for 8 to 24 hours, with free initial 30 minutes and no parking beyond 24 hours. Nodal officer Badal Kumar noted it would reduce illegal roadside parking by buses from Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, easing emissions and congestion. The Public Works Department plans mist-spraying systems at Anand Vihar and Vivek Vihar for Rs 2 crore, completing in 30 days—following similar installations at Narela, Bawana, and Jahangirpuri.
The cold snap exacerbated conditions, with Delhi's minimum temperature at 12.7°C—the season's lowest, three degrees below average—due to northwesterly winds from Himalayan snowfall and clear skies.
