Editing New Delhi (section)

== Geography ==
<!-- The section should provide data only from the New Delhi area under NDMC. Not of the entire NCT. -->
With a total area of {{convert|42.7|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}},<ref name="Delhi Info" /> the municipality of New Delhi forms a small part of the Delhi metropolitan area.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NDMC Act |url=http://www.ndmc.gov.in/AboutNDMC/NNDMCAct.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080302220220/http://www.ndmc.gov.in/AboutNDMC/NNDMCAct.aspx |archive-date=2 March 2008 |access-date=4 November 2008 |publisher=Ndmc.gov.in}}</ref> Since the city is located on the [[Indo-Gangetic Plain]], there is little difference in elevation across the city. New Delhi and surrounding areas were once a part of the [[Aravalli Range|Aravali Range]]; all that is left of those mountains is the [[Delhi Ridge]], which is also called the Lungs of Delhi. While New Delhi lies on the floodplains of the [[Yamuna River]], it is essentially a landlocked city. East of the river is the urban area of [[Shahdara district|Shahdara]].<ref>{{cite web |title=History - District Shahdara, Government of Delhi |url=https://dmshahdara.delhi.gov.in/about-district/history/ |website=District Shahdara Delhi |access-date=17 December 2024}}</ref>

=== Seismology ===
New Delhi falls under the [[Earthquake hazard zoning of India|seismic zone-IV]], making it vulnerable to earthquakes.<ref name="hazardprofile">{{Cite web |title=Hazard profiles of Indian districts |url=http://www.undp.org.in/dmweb/hazardprofile.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060519100611/http://www.undp.org.in/dmweb/hazardprofile.pdf |archive-date=19 May 2006 |access-date=23 August 2006 |website=National Capacity Building Project in Disaster Management |publisher=[[UNDP]]}}</ref> It lies on several fault lines and thus experiences frequent earthquakes, most of them of mild intensity. There was a spike in the number of earthquakes between 2011 and 2015, most notable being a 5.4 magnitude earthquake in 2015 with its epicentre in [[Nepal]], a 4.7-magnitude earthquake on 25 November 2007, a 4.2-magnitude earthquake on 7 September 2011, a 5.2-magnitude earthquake on 5 March 2012, and a swarm of twelve earthquakes, including four of magnitudes 2.5, 2.8, 3.1, and 3.3, on 12 November 2013.{{Citation needed|date=March 2024}}

=== Climate ===
<!-- The section should provide data only from the New Delhi area under NDMC. Not of the entire NCT. -->
{{See also|Climate of Delhi}}
The climate of New Delhi is a dry-winter [[humid subtropical climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Cwa'') bordering on a [[hot semi-arid climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''BSh'') with high variation between summer and winter in terms of both temperature and rainfall. The temperature varies from {{convert|46|°C}} in summers to around {{convert|10|°C}} in winters. The area's version of a humid subtropical climate is noticeably different from many other cities with this climate classification in that it features long and extremely hot summers with [[dust storm]]s, relatively dry and mild winters with [[wildfire]] [[haze]], and a [[monsoon]]al period. Summers are long, extending from early April to October, with the monsoon season occurring in the middle of the summer. Winter starts in November and peaks in January. Winters are very mild. The annual mean temperature is around {{convert|25|°C}}; monthly daily mean temperatures range from approximately {{convert|13|to|34|°C|°F|0}}. New Delhi's highest temperature ever recorded is {{convert|49.9|°C}} on 28 May 2024 at [[India Meteorological Department|Met]] Delhi Mungeshpur while the lowest temperature ever recorded is {{convert|-2.2|°C}} on 11 January 1967 at Indira Gandhi International Airport (formerly known as [[Palam Airport]]).<ref name="IMD2">{{Cite web |title=Ever recorded Maximum and minimum temperatures up to 2010 |url=http://www.imdpune.gov.in/Temp_Extremes/histext2010.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316064314/http://www.imdpune.gov.in/Temp_Extremes/histext2010.pdf |archive-date=16 March 2014 |access-date=16 May 2014 |publisher=India Meteorological Department}}</ref> The average annual rainfall is {{convert|774.4|mm}} and monsoon rainfall from June to September is about {{convert|640.4|mm}}, most of which is during the monsoons in July and August.<ref name="ecosurv1">{{Cite web |title=Chapter 1: Introduction |url=http://delhiplanning.nic.in/Economic%20Survey/ES%202005-06/Chpt/1.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161113174155/http://delhiplanning.nic.in/Economic%20Survey/ES%202005-06/Chpt/1.pdf |archive-date=13 November 2016 |access-date=21 December 2006 |website=Economic Survey of Delhi, 2005–2006 |publisher=Planning Department, Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi |pages=1–7}}</ref>
{{Clear}}
<div class="centre">{{Delhi weatherbox}}
{| class="wikitable "style="width:100%;text-align:center;line-height:1.2em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto"
! colspan="14" |Average Barometric Pressure & Wind Speed of Delhi
|-
!Month
!January
!February
!March
!April
!May
!June
!July
!August
!September
!October
!November
!December
!Year
|-
|Average [[Atmospheric pressure]] milibars (inHg)<ref name="Barometric Pressure">{{Cite web |title=Average pressure New Delhi, India |url=https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/india/new-delhi-climate |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220614130708/https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/india/new-delhi-climate#pressure |archive-date=14 June 2022 |access-date=14 June 2022}}</ref>
|{{Convert|1017.0|mbar|inHg}}
|{{Convert|1014.5|mbar|inHg}}
|{{Convert|1010.6|mbar|inHg}}
|{{Convert|1005.4|mbar|inHg}}
|{{Convert|1000.5|mbar|inHg}}
|{{Convert|996.7|mbar|inHg}}
|{{Convert|996.9|mbar|inHg}}
|{{Convert|999.4|mbar|inHg}}
|{{Convert|1003.4|mbar|inHg}}
|{{Convert|1009.6|mbar|inHg}}
|{{Convert|1013.6|mbar|inHg}}
|{{Convert|1016.1|mbar|inHg}}
|{{Convert|1007.0|mbar|inHg}}
|-
|Average Wind Speed kilometres per hour (mph)<ref name="Wind Speed2">{{Cite web |title=Average wind speed New Delhi, India |url=https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/india/new-delhi-climate |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220614130708/https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/india/new-delhi-climate#wind |archive-date=14 June 2022 |access-date=14 June 2022}}</ref>
|{{Convert|8.3|km/h|mph}}
|{{Convert|9.4|km/h|mph}}
|{{Convert|9.5|km/h|mph}}
|{{Convert|10.0|km/h|mph}}
|{{Convert|10.2|km/h|mph}}
|{{Convert|10.6|km/h|mph}}
|{{Convert|9.5|km/h|mph}}
|{{Convert|8.8|km/h|mph}}
|{{Convert|8.3|km/h|mph}}
|{{Convert|6.7|km/h|mph}}
|{{Convert|7.6|km/h|mph}}
|{{Convert|7.7|km/h|mph}}
|{{Convert|8.9|km/h|mph}}
|}
{{New Delhi Airport weatherbox}}{{Weather box
| metric first = Y
| single line = Y
| temperature colour =
| location = New Delhi (Ayanagar) 1971–2020, extremes 1967–present
| Jan record high C = 29.7
| Feb record high C = 33.2
| Mar record high C = 40.6
| Apr record high C = 45.0
| May record high C = 47.6
| Jun record high C = 47.0
| Jul record high C = 44.8
| Aug record high C = 42.7
| Sep record high C = 41.0
| Oct record high C = 39.4
| Nov record high C = 36.4
| Dec record high C = 30.2
| year record high C = 47.4
| Jan avg record high C = 25.2
| Feb avg record high C = 29.4
| Mar avg record high C = 36.2
| Apr avg record high C = 42.8
| May avg record high C = 45.9
| Jun avg record high C = 45.6
| Jul avg record high C = 41.5
| Aug avg record high C = 38.3
| Sep avg record high C = 37.2
| Oct avg record high C = 36.2
| Nov avg record high C = 32.2
| Dec avg record high C = 27.7
| year avg record high C = 46.2
| Jan high C = 19.2
| Feb high C = 24.3
| Mar high C = 30.7
| Apr high C = 36.8
| May high C = 41.2
| Jun high C = 40.5
| Jul high C = 35.7
| Aug high C = 34.3
| Sep high C = 34.2
| Oct high C = 33.4
| Nov high C = 28.3
| Dec high C = 22.2
| year high C = 31.7
| Jan low C = 7.7
| Feb low C = 11.0
| Mar low C = 15.4
| Apr low C = 21.0
| May low C = 25.5
| Jun low C = 27.1
| Jul low C = 26.5
| Aug low C = 25.8
| Sep low C = 24.2
| Oct low C = 19.5
| Nov low C = 14.2
| Dec low C = 8.3
| year low C = 18.9
| Jan avg record low C = 3.6
| Feb avg record low C = 6.8
| Mar avg record low C = 10.5
| Apr avg record low C = 16.3
| May avg record low C = 19.7
| Jun avg record low C = 20.6
| Jul avg record low C = 22.8
| Aug avg record low C = 23.1
| Sep avg record low C = 21.5
| Oct avg record low C = 14.5
| Nov avg record low C = 9.8
| Dec avg record low C = 3.2
| year avg record low C = 2.9
| Jan record low C = -1.3
| Feb record low C = 0.0
| Mar record low C = 3.8
| Apr record low C = 8.4
| May record low C = 13.8
| Jun record low C = 18.0
| Jul record low C = 19.8
| Aug record low C = 21.3
| Sep record low C = 14.0
| Oct record low C = 9.4
| Nov record low C = 3.2
| Dec record low C = -0.5
| year record low C = -1.3
| rain colour = green
| Jan rain mm = 18.0
| Feb rain mm = 19.8
| Mar rain mm = 21.6
| Apr rain mm = 10.7
| May rain mm = 31.1
| Jun rain mm = 69.9
| Jul rain mm = 182.2
| Aug rain mm = 188.4
| Sep rain mm = 106.1
| Oct rain mm = 13.8
| Nov rain mm = 2.1
| Dec rain mm = 5.4
| year rain mm =
| Jan rain days = 1.6
| Feb rain days = 1.6
| Mar rain days = 2.1
| Apr rain days = 1.0
| May rain days = 2.8
| Jun rain days = 4.5
| Jul rain days = 8.5
| Aug rain days = 8.6
| Sep rain days = 4.7
| Oct rain days = 0.6
| Nov rain days = 0.3
| Dec rain days = 0.4
| year rain days = 36.7
| time day = 17:30 [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| Jan humidity = 64
| Feb humidity = 52
| Mar humidity = 40
| Apr humidity = 26
| May humidity = 24
| Jun humidity = 37
| Jul humidity = 64
| Aug humidity = 68
| Sep humidity = 63
| Oct humidity = 50
| Nov humidity = 52
| Dec humidity = 58
| year humidity = 51
| date = October 2022
| source = India Meteorological Department<ref name="IMDcityrainfall3">{{Cite web |title=Climatological Information – New Delhi (Ayanagar) (42180) |url=https://cdsp.imdpune.gov.in/extremes_1991_2020/?stn=42180 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013144852/https://cdsp.imdpune.gov.in/extremes_1991_2020/?stn=42180 |archive-date=13 October 2022 |access-date=13 October 2022 |publisher=India Meteorological Department}}</ref><ref name="IMDcityextremes4">{{Cite web |title=Climatological Tables 1991–2020 |url=https://www.imdpune.gov.in/library/public/Climatological%20Tables%201991-2020.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101061732/https://www.imdpune.gov.in/library/public/Climatological%20Tables%201991-2020.pdf |archive-date=1 January 2023 |access-date=1 January 2023 |publisher=India Meteorological Department |page=279}}</ref> February record high<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web |title=Press Bulletin of Delhi for 20 February 2023 |url=https://rmcnewdelhi.imd.gov.in/press/press.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220170400/https://rmcnewdelhi.imd.gov.in/press/press.php |archive-date=20 February 2023 |access-date=20 February 2023 |publisher=India Meteorological Department}}</ref>
}}{{Weather box
| metric first = Y
| single line = Y
| temperature colour =
| location = New Delhi ([[Delhi Ridge]]) 1991–2020, extremes 1971–present
| Jan record high C = 27.5
| Feb record high C = 34.2
| Mar record high C = 40.9
| Apr record high C = 45.7
| May record high C = 47.5
| Jun record high C = 47.9
| Jul record high C = 42.5
| Aug record high C = 40.4
| Sep record high C = 38.4
| Oct record high C = 38.4
| Nov record high C = 34.2
| Dec record high C = 29.8
| year record high C = 47.9
| Jan avg record high C = 24.4
| Feb avg record high C = 29.6
| Mar avg record high C = 36.4
| Apr avg record high C = 42.8
| May avg record high C = 45.7
| Jun avg record high C = 44.8
| Jul avg record high C = 40.4
| Aug avg record high C = 37.7
| Sep avg record high C = 36.8
| Oct avg record high C = 36.4
| Nov avg record high C = 32.5
| Dec avg record high C = 27.2
| year avg record high C = 45.9
| Jan high C = 19.0
| Feb high C = 24.4
| Mar high C = 31.0
| Apr high C = 37.0
| May high C = 40.7
| Jun high C = 39.8
| Jul high C = 35.1
| Aug high C = 33.9
| Sep high C = 34.0
| Oct high C = 33.4
| Nov high C = 28.0
| Dec high C = 22.5
| year high C = 31.4
| Jan low C = 8.7
| Feb low C = 12.1
| Mar low C = 16.8
| Apr low C = 22.0
| May low C = 25.9
| Jun low C = 27.0
| Jul low C = 26.1
| Aug low C = 25.5
| Sep low C = 24.1
| Oct low C = 20.3
| Nov low C = 15.1
| Dec low C = 9.9
| year low C = 19.2
| Jan avg record low C = 5.4
| Feb avg record low C = 9.0
| Mar avg record low C = 12.0
| Apr avg record low C = 17.4
| May avg record low C = 20.7
| Jun avg record low C = 21.3
| Jul avg record low C = 22.7
| Aug avg record low C = 23.2
| Sep avg record low C = 21.5
| Oct avg record low C = 17.0
| Nov avg record low C = 11.5
| Dec avg record low C = 5.3
| year avg record low C = 4.7
| Jan record low C = 1.5
| Feb record low C = 7.0
| Mar record low C = 10.2
| Apr record low C = 11.6
| May record low C = 14.2
| Jun record low C = 16.7
| Jul record low C = 21.0
| Aug record low C = 21.6
| Sep record low C = 19.0
| Oct record low C = 12.4
| Nov record low C = 9.7
| Dec record low C = 3.5
| year record low C = 1.5
| rain colour = green
| Jan rain mm = 20.1
| Feb rain mm = 19.5
| Mar rain mm = 17.8
| Apr rain mm = 7.6
| May rain mm = 34.0
| Jun rain mm = 60.7
| Jul rain mm = 190.1
| Aug rain mm = 190.2
| Sep rain mm = 119.3
| Oct rain mm = 26.5
| Nov rain mm = 2.1
| Dec rain mm = 6.1
| year rain mm =
| Jan rain days = 1.9
| Feb rain days = 1.5
| Mar rain days = 1.3
| Apr rain days = 1.1
| May rain days = 2.4
| Jun rain days = 3.9
| Jul rain days = 8.3
| Aug rain days = 9.4
| Sep rain days = 5.2
| Oct rain days = 0.5
| Nov rain days = 0.3
| Dec rain days = 0.5
| year rain days = 36.3
| time day = 17:30 [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| Jan humidity = 66
| Feb humidity = 54
| Mar humidity = 41
| Apr humidity = 29
| May humidity = 31
| Jun humidity = 44
| Jul humidity = 71
| Aug humidity = 76
| Sep humidity = 68
| Oct humidity = 55
| Nov humidity = 54
| Dec humidity = 62
| year humidity = 55
| date = October 2022
| source = India Meteorological Department<ref name="IMDcityrainfall4">{{Cite web |title=Climatological Information – New Delhi (Ridge) (42184) |url=https://cdsp.imdpune.gov.in/extremes_1991_2020/?stn=42184 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013182315/https://cdsp.imdpune.gov.in/extremes_1991_2020/?stn=42184 |archive-date=13 October 2022 |access-date=13 October 2022 |publisher=India Meteorological Department}}</ref><ref name="IMDcityextremes5">{{Cite web |title=Climatological Tables 1991–2020 |url=https://www.imdpune.gov.in/library/public/Climatological%20Tables%201991-2020.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101061732/https://www.imdpune.gov.in/library/public/Climatological%20Tables%201991-2020.pdf |archive-date=1 January 2023 |access-date=1 January 2023 |publisher=India Meteorological Department |page=281}}</ref> February record high<ref name="auto1" />
}}</div>

=== Air quality ===
{{See also|Environmental issues in Delhi|Air pollution in Delhi}}
In [[Mercer (consulting firm)|Mercer]]'s 2015 annual quality-of-living survey, New Delhi ranks at number 154 out of 230 cities due to bad [[air quality]] and pollution.<ref name="Mercer Quality Air">{{Cite news |date=8 March 2015 |title=2015 Quality of Living Survey |work=[[Mercer (consulting firm)|Mercer]] |url=https://www.uk.mercer.com/newsroom/2015-quality-of-living-survey.html |url-status=dead |access-date=28 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190128201250/https://www.uk.mercer.com/newsroom/2015-quality-of-living-survey.html |archive-date=28 January 2019}}</ref><ref name="WSJ New Delhi">{{Cite news |date=8 March 2015 |title=Bad Air Chokes New Delhi's Livability Ranking |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2015/03/05/bad-air-chokes-new-delhis-livability-ranking/?mod=WSJ_hp_India_EditorsPicks |url-status=live |access-date=4 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214025850/https://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2015/03/05/bad-air-chokes-new-delhis-livability-ranking/?mod=WSJ_hp_India_EditorsPicks |archive-date=14 December 2019}}</ref> The [[World Health Organization]] ranked New Delhi as the world's worst polluted city in 2014 among about 1,600 cities the organisation tracked around the world.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Harris |first=Gardiner |date=8 May 2014 |title=Cities in India Among the Most Polluted, W.H.O. Says |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/09/world/asia/cities-in-india-among-the-most-polluted-who-says.html |access-date=10 March 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]] |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=10 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240310104706/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/09/world/asia/cities-in-india-among-the-most-polluted-who-says.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2016, [[United States Environmental Protection Agency]] listed New Delhi as the most polluted city on [[Earth]]<ref name="New Delhi Earth">{{Cite news |date=8 November 2016 |title=New Delhi is the most polluted city on Earth right now |work=[[CNN]] |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2016/11/07/asia/india-new-delhi-smog-pollution/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=28 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816060132/https://edition.cnn.com/2016/11/07/asia/india-new-delhi-smog-pollution/index.html |archive-date=16 August 2021}}</ref> and [[IQAir]] listed New Delhi as the world's most polluted capital city for the second straight year in year 2019.<ref name="New Delhi Earth Pollution2">{{Cite news |date=26 February 2020 |title=New Delhi world's most polluted capital again: Study |language=en |work=www.aljazeera.com |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/2/26/new-delhi-worlds-most-polluted-capital-again-study |url-status=live |access-date=15 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211113043902/https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2020/2/26/new-delhi-worlds-most-polluted-capital-again-study |archive-date=13 November 2021}}</ref>
[[File:Connaught Place sunset.jpg|thumb|Dense smog at [[Connaught Place, New Delhi]]]]

In an attempt to lessen [[air pollution]] in New Delhi, which gets worse during the winter, a temporary [[alternate-day travel]] scheme for cars using the odd- and even-numbered licence plates system was announced by [[Delhi]] government in December 2015. In addition, trucks were to be allowed to enter India's capital only after 11&nbsp;pm, two hours later than the existing restriction.<ref name="Delhi122015">{{Cite news |last=Nida Najar |date=4 December 2015 |title=Delhi to Limit Use of Cars in an Effort to Control Pollution |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/05/world/asia/delhi-announces-pollution-control-measures.html |url-status=live |access-date=5 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151205054942/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/05/world/asia/delhi-announces-pollution-control-measures.html |archive-date=5 December 2015}}</ref> The driving restriction scheme was planned to be implemented as a trial from 1 January 2016 for an initial period of 15 days. The restriction was in force between 8&nbsp;am and 8&nbsp;pm, and traffic was not restricted on Sundays.<ref name="dnaindia2153471">{{Cite news |date=8 December 2015 |title=Have taken note of odd-even formula of plying of vehicles: Delhi Police |work=[[Daily News and Analysis]] |agency=[[Press Trust of India]] |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-have-taken-note-of-odd-even-formula-of-plying-of-vehicles-delhi-police-2153471 |url-status=live |access-date=9 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710194904/http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-have-taken-note-of-odd-even-formula-of-plying-of-vehicles-delhi-police-2153471 |archive-date=10 July 2018}}</ref> Public transportation service was increased during the restriction period.<ref name=Delhi122015 />

On 16 December 2015, the [[Supreme Court of India]] mandated several restrictions on Delhi's transportation system to curb pollution. Among the measures, the court ordered to stop registrations of diesel cars and sport utility vehicles with an engine capacity of 2,000 cc and over until 31 March 2016. The court also ordered all taxis in the Delhi region to switch to [[compressed natural gas]] by 1 March 2016. Transportation vehicles that are more than 10 years old were banned from entering the capital.<ref name="20151217nytimes">{{Cite news |last=Nida Najar |date=16 December 2015 |title=India, choking on pollution, Restricts Vehicle Use in Delhi |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/17/world/asia/india-choking-on-pollution-restricts-vehicle-use-in-new-delhi.html |url-status=live |access-date=19 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151218203447/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/17/world/asia/india-choking-on-pollution-restricts-vehicle-use-in-new-delhi.html |archive-date=18 December 2015}}</ref>

Analysing real-time vehicle speed data from Uber Delhi revealed that during the odd-even program, average speeds went up by a statistically significant 5.4 per cent (2.8 standard deviations from normal). This means vehicles have less idling time in traffic and vehicle engines would run closer to minimum fuel consumption.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 January 2016 |title=Yes, Delhi, it worked |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/odd-even-policy-delhi-pollution-yes-delhi-it-worked/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929111947/https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/odd-even-policy-delhi-pollution-yes-delhi-it-worked/ |archive-date=29 September 2021 |access-date=28 April 2021}}</ref> In bordering areas, PM 2.5 levels were recorded more than 400 (ug/m3) while in inner areas in Delhi, they were recorded between 150 and 210 on an average.<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 January 2016 |title=Odd-even scheme likely to return in Delhi after March; schools, 2nd car among concerns {{pipe}} Delhi News |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Odd-even-scheme-likely-to-return-in-Delhi-after-March-schools-2nd-car-among-concerns/articleshow/50629135.cms |url-status=live |access-date=23 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225090820/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Odd-even-scheme-likely-to-return-in-Delhi-after-March-schools-2nd-car-among-concerns/articleshow/50629135.cms |archive-date=25 February 2021}}</ref> However, the sub-city of [[Dwarka, Delhi|Dwarka]], located in the southwest district, has a substantially low level of air pollution. At the NSIT University campus, located in sector 3 Dwarka, pollution levels were as low as 93 PPM.{{citation needed|date=December 2016}}

On 7 November 2017, the [[Indian Medical Association]] declared a public health emergency due to high pollution levels.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |last=Safi |first=Michael |date=7 November 2017 |title=Delhi doctors declare pollution emergency as smog chokes city |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/07/delhi-india-declares-pollution-emergency-as-smog-chokes-city |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029001236/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/07/delhi-india-declares-pollution-emergency-as-smog-chokes-city |archive-date=29 October 2021 |access-date=27 January 2019 |website=The Guardian}}</ref> The highest being in the [[Punjabi Bagh]] district with an [[air quality index]] of 999 and in the [[Rama Krishna Puram|RK Puram]] district with an index of 852. The lowest index recorded was in the [[Anand Vihar]] district with an index of 319.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 November 2017 |title=Delhi air pollution: Public health emergency declared; people advised not to venture outside |url=https://zeenews.india.com/delhi/delhi-air-pollution-public-health-emergency-declared-people-advised-not-to-venture-outside-2054928.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109012213/https://zeenews.india.com/delhi/delhi-air-pollution-public-health-emergency-declared-people-advised-not-to-venture-outside-2054928.html |archive-date=9 November 2020 |access-date=28 April 2021}}</ref> Levels of PM2.5 were recorded at 710&nbsp;μg/m<sup>3</sup>, more than 11 times the [[World Health Organization]]'s safe limit.<ref name="auto" />

In a 2018 study, New Delhi was found to be the most polluted capital out of 61 capital cities around the world.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 March 2019 |title=New Delhi is world's most polluted capital |url=https://epaper.dawn.com/DetailNews.php?StoryText=06_03_2019_012_004 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224234035/https://epaper.dawn.com/DetailNews.php?StoryText=06_03_2019_012_004 |archive-date=24 February 2021 |access-date=6 March 2019 |website=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]}}</ref> In December 2019, [[Indian Institute of Technology Bombay|IIT Bombay]], in partnership with the [[McKelvey School of Engineering]] of [[Washington University in St. Louis]], launched the Aerosol and Air Quality Research Facility to study air pollution in New Delhi, among other Indian cities.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 December 2019 |title=McKelvey Engineering, IIT Bombay partner to study air pollution {{!}} The Source {{!}} Washington University in St. Louis |url=https://source.wustl.edu/2019/12/new-partnership-brings-together-mckelvey-iit-bombay-to-study-air-pollution/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210529072244/https://source.wustl.edu/2019/12/new-partnership-brings-together-mckelvey-iit-bombay-to-study-air-pollution/ |archive-date=29 May 2021 |access-date=21 February 2020 |website=The Source |language=en-US}}</ref> During the [[COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in India]], the water quality of the [[Yamuna]] and [[Ganges]] river basins have improved as industries are closed due to the lockdown.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 April 2020 |title=Lockdown makes Ganga water significantly cleaner |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/lockdown-makes-ganga-water-significantly-cleaner-11586022134242.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813030621/https://www.livemint.com/news/india/lockdown-makes-ganga-water-significantly-cleaner-11586022134242.html |archive-date=13 August 2021 |access-date=22 April 2020 |publisher=LiveMint}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Naqvi |first1=Haider |last2=Kumar |first2=Sudhir |date=4 April 2020 |title=Lockdown does what decades of schemes couldn't: Clean Ganga |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/anxiety-more-time-to-study-for-40k-students-stranded-in-kota/story-LgCluBkrFEITG9qyX16IEI.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411122442/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/anxiety-more-time-to-study-for-40k-students-stranded-in-kota/story-LgCluBkrFEITG9qyX16IEI.html |archive-date=11 April 2021 |access-date=22 April 2020 |publisher=HT Digital Streams Ltd.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=22 April 2020 |title=India's coronavirus lockdown reveals fresh air, cleaner rivers |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/coronavirus-lockdown-india-fresh-air-clean-rivers-1669726-2020-04-22 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411122442/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/coronavirus-lockdown-india-fresh-air-clean-rivers-1669726-2020-04-22 |archive-date=11 April 2021 |access-date=22 April 2020 |publisher=Living Media India Ltd.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Babu |first=Nikhil |date=14 April 2020 |title=Yamuna cleaner due to lockdown |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/yamuna-cleaner-due-to-lockdown/article31342401.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411122442/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/yamuna-cleaner-due-to-lockdown/article31342401.ece |archive-date=11 April 2021 |access-date=22 April 2020 |website=The Hindu}}</ref> The air quality has also significantly improved during the lockdown.<ref>{{Cite news |title=The silver lining: air pollution dips amid the lockdown |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/the-silver-lining-air-pollution-dips-amid-the-lockdown-1671422-2020-04-26 |url-status=live |access-date=2 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411122443/https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/the-silver-lining-air-pollution-dips-amid-the-lockdown-1671422-2020-04-26 |archive-date=11 April 2021}}</ref> On 5 November 2020, New Delhi recorded its most toxic day in a year, as the concentration of poisonous PM2.5 particles was recorded at 14 times the WHO's safe limit.<ref>{{Cite web |title=India's capital New Delhi suffers most toxic air in a year |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/11/5/indias-capital-new-delhi-suffers-most-toxic-air-in-a-year |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116030854/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/11/5/indias-capital-new-delhi-suffers-most-toxic-air-in-a-year |archive-date=16 November 2021 |access-date=7 November 2020 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:2015 Air pollution in New Delhi (AQI).svg|thumb|upright=4.1|centre|2015 Air pollution in New Delhi (PM2.5 AQI)
{{Columns-start}}
{{legend|#7e0023| Hazardous }}
{{legend|#9900ac| Very Unhealthy }}
{{legend|#ff0000| Unhealthy}}
{{Column}}
{{legend|#ff7e00| Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups}}
{{legend|#ffff00| Moderate }}
{{legend|#00e400| Good}}
{{Columns-end}}
]]
{| class="wikitable"
!Month
!January
!February
!March
!April
!May
!June
!July
!August
!September
!October
!November
!December
|-
|Average [[Air quality index]]
| style="background: #f90; colour: black" |201-300
(Poor)
| style="background: #f90; colour: black" |201-300
(Poor)
| style="background: #ff0; colour: black" |101-200
(Moderate)
| style="background: #ff0; colour: black" |101-200
(Moderate)
| style="background: #ff0; colour: black" |101-200
(Moderate)
| style="background: #ff0; colour: black" |101-200
(Moderate)
| style="background: #6c0; colour: black" |51-100
(Satisfactory)
| style="background: #6c0; colour: black" |51-100
(Satisfactory)
| style="background: #6c0; colour: black" |51-100
(Satisfactory)
| style="background:brown; colour: black" |401-500
(Severe)
| style="background:brown; colour: black" |401-500
(Severe)
| style="background:red; colour: black" |301-400
(Very Poor)
|}