10 days of 'severe' air quality in Delhi during winter season: Govt tells Lok Sabha
New Delhi (PTI): Delhi saw 10 days of 'severe' air quality during the winter season (October-January) in 2025-26 as against 31 days in 2016-17, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said on Monday.
He shared the information in response to a written question by Congress MP Manish Tewari in the Lok Sabha.
"The total number of days with Severe AQI levels (AQI>401) in Delhi during the
winter season (October-January) in 2025-26 were 10 days as compared to 31 days in 2016-17," Yadav said.
He said focused actions by 130 cities under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) have shown positive results, with 103 cities showing a reduction in PM10 concentration in 2024-25 as compared to 2017-18. Of these, 64 cities have shown a reduction in PM10 levels by more than 20 per cent and 25 of these cities have achieved a reduction of more than 40 per cent.
"A total of 22 cities have met National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and have PM10 concentrations less than 60 μg/m3. With coordinated actions, the average AQI of Delhi has shown improvement at AQI of 201 in 2025 as against 225 in 2018," the Union minister said while listing various measures taken by the government to tackle air pollution.
Tewari attacked the government over the response to his question about "reasons for the failure to prevent the Air Quality Index in National Capital Region from remaining at severe levels -- around 400 or above for nearly three consecutive months -- despite the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) and the specific lapses identified in its implementation or enforcement".
"It is sad that the government rather than appreciating the extent and gravity of the problem chose to duck it completely by trying to confuse and obfuscate an existential issue by trying to give inane statistics," he said.
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345 Indian fishermen stranded in Iran return home via Armenia
New Delhi (PTI): A group of 345 Indian fishermen, who were stranded in Iran amid escalating regional tensions, returned to India via Armenia on Saturday, officials said.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar thanked his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan for assistance in return of the Indian nationals.
The Indian nationals arrived in Chennai this evening, the officials cited above said.
The circumstances that led to them being stranded in Iran were not immediately known.
"Thank FM @AraratMirzoyan and the Government of Armenia for facilitating the evacuation of Indian fishermen today from Iran, through Armenia to India," Jaishankar said on social media.
Over 1,500 Indian nationals have left Iran through land border crossings in Armenia and Azerbaijan since the start of the West Asia conflict over a month ago.
"A group of Indian fishermen, stranded in Iran, are returning home via Armenia today; their flight is expected to reach India this evening," a government statement said.
It said the Ministry of External Affairs continues to closely monitor the evolving situation in the West Asian region, with the safety, security and welfare of the Indian community being accorded the highest priority.
It also made a mention of five Indians being injured in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
According to Abu Dhabi authorities, the Indian nationals were among the 12 people injured by debris from an intercepted missile.
"In an attack in Abu Dhabi, five Indian nationals were injured; four have been discharged, one remains under treatment," the Indian government's statement said.
It said the Indian mission in Abu Dhabi is extending "full" assistance and coordinating with local authorities, adding that their flight is expected to reach India this evening.
