About the NCR Air Quality Portal
An independent initiative dedicated to making air quality data accessible, understandable, and actionable for every resident of the Delhi National Capital Region.
Who We Are
The NCR Air Quality Portal is built and maintained by an independent team of environmental data enthusiasts, software engineers, and public health advocates based in Delhi-NCR. We are not a government agency, nor are we affiliated with any political party, NGO, or corporate entity. We are residents of this region — people who breathe the same air as you do and who have experienced firsthand the devastating impact of poor air quality on daily life, health, and productivity.
Our team brings together expertise in environmental science, data engineering, public health communication, and web development. We started this project because we noticed a critical gap: while official air quality data existed, it was scattered across multiple government dashboards, buried in technical jargon, and rarely presented in a way that ordinary citizens could act upon. We set out to change that.
Every member of our team volunteers their time and expertise because we believe that access to clear, timely environmental health information is not a luxury — it is a fundamental right of every citizen living in one of the most polluted urban agglomerations on the planet.
Our Mission
Our mission is simple but urgent: make air quality data accessible and actionable for the 46 million people who call Delhi-NCR home.
We believe that when people have clear, real-time information about the air they breathe, they make better decisions — whether that means keeping children indoors on a hazardous day, wearing a mask during their morning commute, or choosing the right air purifier for their home. We also believe that informed citizens hold institutions accountable. When residents understand what GRAP stages mean, what actions the government is required to take, and how to report violations, the entire system works better.
To that end, we provide real-time AQI tracking across multiple NCR monitoring stations, plain-language explanations of the GRAP framework and its four stages, science-backed health guidance for vulnerable populations, and tools like our emergency preparedness checklist that help families plan ahead for the annual pollution crisis.
Why This Matters
Delhi-NCR faces an air quality crisis that is, by any measure, one of the most severe public health emergencies in the modern world. Every winter, between October and February, a toxic combination of crop residue burning in neighbouring states, vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, construction dust, and unfavourable meteorological conditions pushes AQI levels into the "Severe+" category — often exceeding 500 on the index, a level the WHO considers immediately dangerous to health.
The consequences are staggering. Studies published in The Lancet estimate that air pollution contributes to over 1.67 million premature deaths in India annually, with Delhi-NCR bearing a disproportionate burden. Respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular disease, lung cancer rates, and childhood asthma cases in the region have surged over the past decade. Hospitals across Delhi report a 30–40% spike in emergency admissions during peak pollution months. Schools are forced to close. Outdoor workers — delivery riders, construction labourers, street vendors — face the worst exposure with the least protection.
This is not a seasonal inconvenience. It is a slow-moving public health catastrophe, and it demands that every resident have the tools and knowledge to protect themselves and their families.
Data Transparency & Our Sources
We are committed to complete transparency about where our data comes from, how it is processed, and what its limitations are. Trust is built on transparency, and we want you to know exactly what powers this portal.
🌐 Real-Time AQI Data
All real-time Air Quality Index readings displayed on this portal are sourced from the World Air Quality Index (WAQI) project via their public API. WAQI aggregates data from official government monitoring stations operated by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC). The AQI values follow the US EPA standard, which is the most widely used international benchmark. We display data as-is from the API, without modification, so that you always see the most accurate reading available.
📋 GRAP Stage Information
All information about GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan) stages, their activation thresholds, and the specific measures mandated under each stage is sourced directly from official notifications published by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and Government of India gazette publications. We cross-reference our content against the revised GRAP framework issued in 2024 to ensure accuracy. When GRAP stages are invoked or revoked, we update our portal based on CAQM press releases and official orders.
⚡ Real-Time Data Delivery
We use Google Firebase infrastructure for real-time data delivery and caching. Firebase allows us to serve AQI updates with minimal latency, ensuring that the data you see on this portal is as current as possible. Firebase also powers our local storage features, such as the emergency checklist that saves your preferences directly in your browser — no personal data ever leaves your device.
We make every effort to ensure the information on this portal is accurate and up-to-date. However, we are an independent project and cannot guarantee the accuracy of third-party data sources. For official regulatory information, we always recommend consulting the CAQM website and the CPCB Air Quality Dashboard directly.
Open Source & Community
We believe in the power of community-driven initiatives. If you are a developer, data scientist, environmental researcher, or simply a concerned citizen who wants to contribute, we welcome your involvement. Whether it is helping us add new monitoring stations, improving our health guidance content, translating the portal into Hindi and other regional languages, or reporting data discrepancies — every contribution makes this resource better for millions of NCR residents.
If you would like to get involved, please visit our Contact page and reach out. Together, we can build a more informed, more resilient NCR.