Mon, 26 Oct, 2026, 12:12 pm
Reported by The Economic Times
In a seasonal shift, Delhi has recorded its slowest deterioration in air quality in seven years during the transition from September to October, while Mumbai has witnessed pollution levels more than double over the same period. A Moneycontrol analysis of air quality data from 11 major Indian cities found that Delhi’s average AQI rose 48.5%, compared with Mumbai’s 105.1% increase.
The analysis compared average AQI readings for September 16-30 and October 1-25 for each year from 2020 to 2026. Delhi’s increase was lower than its six-year average of 75.8%, while Mumbai’s rise exceeded its corresponding average of 76.2%. Bengaluru and Kolkata also recorded sharper increases than their respective six-year averages.
135171477Mumbai AQI: Official and private readings show differencesMumbai recorded an average AQI of 124, placing the city in the moderate category, according to official data. However, private sensors using the US AQI scale indicated higher pollution levels, with the average at 172 and readings fluctuating between 165 and 186 through the day, reported TOI.
Private sensors recorded an average US AQI of 179 near Juhu’s JVPD Scheme and 177 at Bandra Hill Road, where readings ranged from 169 to 198. At the US Consulate in Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), readings ranged between 184 and 229.
