Noida, — In a promising turn for the city’s environment, Noida has recorded its cleanest air in five years, with 2025 witnessing a significant improvement in overall air quality. According to official data, the city’s average annual Air Quality Index (AQI) dropped to 149 by June 2025, marking a notable decline from 208 in 2021.
This improvement is not just on paper — residents have started to notice the change in the air they breathe. After years of grappling with poor air quality, particularly in 2021 and 2022 when toxic air was a persistent health hazard, 2025 has brought some much-needed relief.
Experts and pollution control authorities attribute this improvement to a combination of factors, including favorable weather patterns and decisive policy interventions. One of the most impactful measures has been the ban on vehicles older than 15 years, which were known to emit significantly higher levels of pollutants. Enforcement of this restriction, particularly on refueling such vehicles, has contributed meaningfully to reducing vehicular emissions.
Dr. Renu Dhoopar, Director of the Environment Department at Amity University, noted:
“Restricting refueling for vehicles older than 15 years has had a direct impact on lowering air pollution levels in urban areas like Noida. Combined with seasonal changes and reduced stubble burning, we’re seeing real, measurable progress.”
Another major contributor was the revised implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). In 2024, the Supreme Court ordered a lowering of AQI thresholds for enforcing GRAP restrictions — from 400+ earlier to between 300–350. This preemptive action helped curb pollution spikes before they could worsen.
Additionally, a sharp decline in stubble burning incidents in Punjab and Haryana this year — traditionally a major source of winter smog — also played a crucial role. Wind patterns in 2025 have further helped prevent external pollutants from accumulating in the region.
Year-wise AQI in Noida:
- 2021 – 208
- 2022 – 199
- 2023 – 188
- 2024 – 184
- 2025 (Till June) – 149
With the current trajectory, environmental experts remain cautiously optimistic. If current policies and public cooperation continue, Noida could set a benchmark for other urban centers battling air pollution in India.
