Ghaziabad Air Quality Index (AQI) & Air Pollution Today
Uttar Pradesh, India — Real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) and PM2.5
Ghaziabad AQI Right Now
Category: Poor
Dominant Pollutant: pm25
PM2.5: 109.98 µg/m³
PM10: 271.3 µg/m³
Last updated: 2026-03-24 — Data source: Google Air Quality API (NAQI). Live NAQI values load when you visit the page.
Ghaziabad Pollutant Levels
| Pollutant | Concentration |
|---|---|
| PM2.5 | 109.98 µg/m³ |
| PM10 | 271.3 µg/m³ |
| O₃ (Ozone) | 21.43 µg/m³ |
| NO₂ | 46.74 µg/m³ |
| SO₂ | 9.85 µg/m³ |
| CO | 605.57 µg/m³ |
Health Advisory — Ghaziabad
Poor: Breathing discomfort to most people on prolonged exposure.
Recommendation: Sensitive groups (children, elderly, people with respiratory conditions) should limit outdoor exposure.
Warning: Everyone should avoid prolonged outdoor activities. Keep windows closed and use air purifiers if available.
Health Impact — Ghaziabad
Cigarette Equivalent: Breathing this air is equivalent to smoking 5 cigarettes per day (based on current PM2.5 levels).
Life Expectancy Impact: Sustained exposure at this PM2.5 level could reduce life expectancy by 0.65 years (AQLI estimate, relative to WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³).
Health Recommendations for Ghaziabad
- General Population: Everyone should reduce prolonged outdoor exertion.
- Elderly: Avoid outdoor activities. Stay indoors.
- Children: Avoid outdoor play and exertion.
- Lung Disease Patients: Stay indoors. Keep windows closed.
Understanding Ghaziabad Air Quality
Ghaziabad, often dubbed the "Gateway to Uttar Pradesh," sits immediately east of Delhi across the Yamuna river and consistently ranks among India's most polluted cities. Its flat terrain in the upper Indo-Gangetic Plain provides no natural barriers to pollutant dispersal, making it fully exposed to regional smog events.
The city's air quality is worst from late October through January, coinciding with crop residue burning in western UP and the onset of winter inversions. During November 2023, Ghaziabad recorded several days with NAQI exceeding 450 (Severe), with PM2.5 concentrations surpassing 350 µg/m³. Dense fog during December–January further compounds the problem, reducing the atmospheric mixing height to as low as 200 metres.
Rapid industrialisation along the NH-9 and NH-24 corridors, combined with massive construction activity for metro expansion and housing projects, contributes significantly to particulate pollution. The Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board has mandated dust suppression at construction sites, but enforcement remains inconsistent.
Primary Pollution Sources
- Industrial emissions
- Vehicle exhaust
- Construction dust
- Stubble burning (seasonal)
- Waste burning
Geography: Eastern NCR satellite city across the Yamuna from Delhi; flat terrain with no natural wind barriers
Peak pollution months: October, November, December, January
Frequently Asked Questions — Ghaziabad
Why is Ghaziabad so polluted?
Ghaziabad's pollution results from a combination of industrial emissions along national highway corridors, heavy construction activity, vehicular exhaust from Delhi-bound commuter traffic, seasonal stubble burning from western UP, and open waste burning. Its flat geography and proximity to Delhi means it shares the capital's trapped-air conditions during winter inversions.
What is the most polluted month in Ghaziabad?
November is typically the worst month, with daily AQI frequently in the Severe category (NAQI 400+). The combination of post-Diwali emissions, peak stubble burning, and the onset of cold-weather inversions creates sustained pollution episodes lasting 2–3 weeks.
Air Quality in Nearby Cities
- Delhi AQI — Delhi
- Noida AQI — Uttar Pradesh
- Faridabad AQI — Haryana
- Gurgaon AQI — Haryana