Delhi air pollution: Rohini, Punjabi Bagh and RK Puram among 10 worst-hit areas as AQI nears 400 | Check full list

Delhi's AQI stood at 391 on Friday, with Rohini recording the highest reading of 474. As 31 monitoring stations reported severe air quality, the Supreme Court flagged vehicular emissions and heavy traffic as major contributors to pollution. 

Delhi's air quality remained dangerously close to the severe category on Friday, with several parts of the national capital recording alarming pollution levels.

Rohini records highest AQI of 2026

According to an analysis of Central Pollution Control Board data by the Hindustan Times Pollution Dashboard, 31 monitoring stations recorded severe air quality, while another 28 fell in the very poor category.

Delhi's overall AQI stood at 391 at 12 pm Friday, just nine points below the threshold of 401, beyond which air quality is classified as severe. The dashboard calculates the city's average using readings from monitoring stations reporting data to the CPCB.

Rohini records highest AQI

The 10 most polluted monitoring locations in Delhi, according to the latest dashboard update, were:

Rohini: 474

Punjabi Bagh: 465

Jahangirpuri: 458

DTU: 454

RK Puram: 450

Mundka: 446

Vivek Vihar: 438

Sonia Vihar: 436

Bawana: 435

Alipur: 434

The readings underline how pollution has spread across several parts of the capital, with residential areas, busy road networks and locations around major institutions reporting particularly poor air quality.

The deterioration comes ahead of Diwali, when increased traffic and festive activities could add to the existing pollution burden. Weather conditions have also played a role in trapping pollutants close to the ground, making it harder for the air to clear.

Supreme Court flags vehicle emissions

The worsening situation also came under scrutiny in the Supreme Court on Friday, with the top court identifying vehicular emissions as a major contributor to air pollution across Delhi-NCR.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana expressed concern over the heavy, bumper-to-bumper traffic on roads across the national capital and neighbouring areas.

"We keep talking, sometimes make statements and suggestions, but the point is that AQI is already touching 400," the Chief Justice observed during a hearing in a suo motu case concerning measures to tackle air pollution.

The bench specifically highlighted the large number of vehicles travelling between Delhi and neighbouring areas, including Ghaziabad, Greater Noida, Gurugram and Faridabad. It called for immediate, medium-term and long-term measures to bring pollution levels under control.

The court also stressed the need to educate farmers about alternatives to stubble burning, including the use of machinery to manage crop residue. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati informed the bench that farm fires accounted for 14% of Delhi's pollution on Thursday.

The Centre also outlined existing measures covering industrial emissions, vehicle pollution, construction dust, road dust and stubble burning. These include restrictions on certain vehicles, geo-tagging of pollution under control certificates and action against visibly polluting vehicles.

The Supreme Court indicated that it would pass further orders, with the matter scheduled to be taken up again on 16 November, after the Diwali vacation.

About the Author

Trisha Bhattacharya is a Senior Content Producer at Livemint, with over two years of experience covering entertainment news from India and beyond. She spends her days tracking what’s trending, breaking down pop culture moments, and turning fast-moving entertainment stories into sharp, engaging reads that actually make people want to click — and stay. <br> She holds a Master’s degree in English Literature from Lucknow University, a background that shapes her love for layered narratives, strong voices, and stories that linger long after they’re told. Before joining Livemint, Trisha worked with India Today as an entertainment journalist and film critic. There, she reviewed films, covered industry news, and built a strong foundation in storytelling and cultural analysis. <br> Trisha enjoys working at the intersection of media, culture, and audience interest, always looking for fresh angles and formats. Films, shows, and music are not just her beat but her biggest passion — something that naturally reflects in her writing. Whether it’s cinema, streaming shows, music, or internet trends, she approaches every story with curiosity and intent. <br> Outside the job description, she’s unapologetically passionate about films, shows, and music — sometimes a little too passionate, if you ask her. That enthusiasm often spills into her work, adding personality, urgency, and a touch of chaos that keeps her writing alive. For Trisha, entertainment isn’t just a beat — it’s a language she speaks fluently.