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With 29 days of clean air, Delhi saw its best July AQI on record. Delhi government called it an ‘unprecedented environmental breakthrough’
On Thursday, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 59, with most of the city’s 13 pollution hotspots also registering in the ‘Good’ or ‘Satisfactory’ categories. (Representative image)
With 29 days this month recording air quality in the ‘Good’ and ‘Satisfactory’ categories, the Delhi government on Thursday called it the “cleanest July in decades” and the “best July in Delhi’s recorded history”.
On Thursday, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 59, with most of the city’s 13 pollution hotspots also registering in the ‘Good’ or ‘Satisfactory’ categories — a remarkable improvement from previous years, the government said.
Speaking to News18a ministry official said the government sourced the data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
AQI between 0 and 50 is considered “Good”, 51–100 is “Satisfactory”, 101–200 is “Moderate”, 201–300 is “Poor”, 301–400 is “Very Poor”, and anything above 400 is categorised as “Severe”.
It is also important to note that the CPCB began collecting AQI data in 2015 with the launch of the National AQI on April 6.
The average AQI for the month of July was 104 in 2018, 134 in 2019, 84 in 2020, 110 in 2021, 87 in 2022, 84 in 2023, and 96 in 2024.
Not just the Delhi government, but the Union government also issued a statement on the matter, crediting the improvement to “favourable meteorological conditions and efforts by different stakeholders”.
At 78 (‘Satisfactory’), the Union government said July 2025 “witnessed the best average AQI in Delhi since 2018″.
These numbers surpass even those recorded during the COVID-19 lockdown period, when pollution levels had temporarily dipped, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change said.
Highest Number Of ‘Satisfactory’ Days
July also witnessed the highest number of ‘Satisfactory’ days (AQI 51–100) — 29 — compared to 16 days in 2018, 12 days in 2019, 25 days in 2020, 20 days in 2021, 25 days in 2022, 26 days in 2023, and 17 days in 2024.
‘Unprecedented Environmental Breakthrough’
Calling it an “unprecedented environmental breakthrough” in an official statement, the Delhi government said the capital’s cleanest July ever is proof that with “clean intent and strong action, we can change the city’s air quality for the better”.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa attributed the success to the government’s multi-tiered strategy. “We have moved from reactive pollution control to proactive pollution prevention… our 24×7 teams are implementing solutions on the ground — from increasing green cover through Van Mahotsav to stricter dust control, automatic misting, mechanised road sweeping, and bio-mining of garbage mountains. Every action is delivering measurable impact,” said Sirsa.
The average AQI for July 2025 is among the lowest ever recorded, surpassing previous clean-air milestones.
“This is the best July air quality in decades, setting a new benchmark in Delhi’s fight against air pollution,” the government added.
Low AQI Result Of Government Interventions
Sirsa emphasised that the improvement is not merely weather-driven but the result of structured, technology-backed interventions. “Delhi’s clean air this July is not a coincidence; it’s a consequence of policy, enforcement, and teamwork. We have created systems that work round the year, ensuring this progress is sustainable,” he said.
With artificial rain preparations, ongoing landfill bio-mining, and enhanced dust mitigation norms, the government is confident of sustaining and further improving air quality.
Between August 30 and September 10, artificial rain will be carried out over Alipur, Bawana, Rohini, Burari, Pavi Sadakpur, and parts of the Eastern Peripheral Expressway. “This is only the beginning. Delhi can and will breathe cleaner air in the days to come,” Sirsa added.
Nivedita Singh is a data journalist and covers the Election Commission, Indian Railways and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. She has nearly seven years of experience in the news media. She tweets @nived…Read More
Nivedita Singh is a data journalist and covers the Election Commission, Indian Railways and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. She has nearly seven years of experience in the news media. She tweets @nived… Read More
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