By: Express News ServiceNew Delhi | November 9, 2025 04:58 AM IST 3 min readWhile Delhi’s 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) stood at 361 on Saturday, in the ‘Very Poor’ category, several monitoring stations recorded ‘Severe’ AQI readings of above 400, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data revealed.As of 6 pm, Wazirpur recorded the highest AQI at 424, followed by Bawana (424), Vivek Vihar (415), as well as ITO and Rohini (408 each). (See box)On Friday, Delhi had recorded an average AQI of 322. According to the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) forecast, “The air quality is very likely to be in the ‘Very Poor’ category from November 9 to 11.”IITM’s Decision Support System (DSS) forecast shows that the contribution of stubble burning to Delhi’s PM2.5 levels is expected to rise to 31.24% on Sunday, making it the most significant pollution source. Emissions from the transport sector in Delhi are expected to be the second-highest contributor at 14.25%.The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR and Adjoining Areas said it has held review meetings with Haryana and Punjab governments on action taken to eliminate stubble burning during the paddy harvest season.In a statement on Saturday, CAQM said it had undertaken field visits in Punjab to assess the ground situation.During the inspection of Lehra Mohabbat Thermal Power Plant in Bathinda district, the CAQM chairperson “expressed serious concern over its poor operational condition and non-compliance with prescribed emission norms and air quality standards”. The CAQM said the chairperson has “cautioned that if immediate measures are not undertaken, the Commission may be compelled to issue closure directions to the plant”.Story continues below this adFollowing the visit, the CAQM held a review meeting with the Punjab government on November 7. “Between September 15 and November 6, Punjab recorded 3,284 stubble burning incidents, compared to 5,041 during the same period last year, indicating marginal improvement,” the CAQM noted.However, it pointed out that “some districts… Muktsar and Fazilka have even shown an increase in the number of fire counts, which is a cause of concern that requires immediate intervention by the state”. The CAQM said, “A lot is required to be done in Punjab to achieve complete elimination of stubble burning.”Taking stock of Haryana’s performance, the CAQM said the state has shown a “significant decline in stubble burning incidents through incentive schemes, enforcement and on-ground interventions”. Between September 15 and November 6, Haryana reported 206 farm fires compared to 888 last year.Meanwhile, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) on Saturday clarified that there has been “no manipulation of air quality data” at monitoring stations and that all readings are “transparently monitored and reported”.Story continues below this adThe DPCC said in a statement that it operates 24 monitoring stations and that “almost 99% of the stations have been providing continuous data,” with only “shorter outages or anomalies” at some sites. “All parameters are published on the DPCC website, and the AQI is subsequently calculated and released by CPCB,” the statement said, adding that the system ensures “complete transparency in monitoring and reporting practices”.The DPCC added that pollution mitigation measures “have been initiated proactively this year,” unlike last year when GRAP Stage III restrictions were enforced from November 13.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:New Delhi