NCR Faces Double Whammy: Toxic Air and Cold Wave, Greater Noida and Delhi Among Most Polluted Areas

Noida/Delhi: Delhi-NCR is once again grappling with dangerous levels of air pollution, with Greater Noida consistently ranking among the country’s most polluted areas. The Air Quality Index (AQI) across Delhi, Noida, Greater Noida, and Ghaziabad has plunged into the red zone, directly affecting public health and daily activities.NCR Faces Double Whammy:

In Noida, all active monitoring stations recorded very poor AQI levels:

• Sector-1: 359

• Sector-125: 352

• Sector-116: 347

• Sector-62: 342

These readings confirm that the air in Noida remains heavily polluted.

NCR Faces Double Whammy:Delhi’s situation is equally alarming, with AQI in several areas exceeding 350:

• Chandni Chowk: 384

• Ashok Vihar: 376

• Bawana: 373

• Punjabi Bagh: 386

• Okhla Phase-2: 383

• Pusa: 399

• Nehru Nagar: 397 (severe category)

Other areas like Anand Vihar (345) and Alipur (332) also fall into the unhealthy bracket. Even Mathura Road recorded a concerning AQI of 259.

Ghaziabad is no exception, with Sanjay Nagar at 312 and Indirapuram at 282, indicating widespread pollution across the city.

Alongside pollution, cold wave conditions are compounding the problem. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), NCR is under a cold wave alert. On 15 January, the minimum temperature dropped to 5°C, while the maximum reached around 22°C. Dense morning fog, coupled with lingering fog in several areas during the day, has further worsened visibility and air quality.

Experts explain that cold, stagnant winds and fog trap pollutants close to the ground, keeping AQI consistently in the red zone. Doctors advise the elderly, children, and those with respiratory conditions to avoid going outdoors, wear masks, and postpone early morning or evening walks.

The combination of toxic air and freezing temperatures poses a serious health risk, making precautions critical for residents of the NCR.