Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) differed sharply across two Nov. 11 reports, but missing timing details in NDTV Profit’s six-city list prevent a direct comparison with the government system’s reading.
The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) Delhi Air Quality Early Warning System displayed a reading of 313 at 5:30 a.m. ET (10:30 UTC), or 4 p.m. IST, on Wednesday, Nov. 11. NDTV Profit listed Delhi at 260 that day but did not specify when its figures were collected or what averaging period they used.
NDTV Profit’s list also gave Chennai at 180, Hyderabad at 152, Bengaluru at 145, Mumbai at 134 and Kolkata at 130. Its page summary put Chennai at 130, while the headline and table showed 180; the table assigned 130 to Kolkata.
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed Delhi’s 24-hour average AQI at 313 on Wednesday, after the previous day’s 299 reading on Tuesday, Nov. 10.
CPCB’s scale places readings from 201 to 300 in the “Poor” band and 301 to 400 in “Very Poor.” The overall AQI follows the highest relevant pollutant sub-index. Most pollutant averages cover 24 hours; carbon monoxide and ozone use eight-hour averages. CPCB guidance says extended time in the Very Poor band may raise respiratory illness risk and urges extra precautions for children, older people and people with illnesses.
