Thu Jan 01 20:18:23 UTC 2026: Here’s a summary and news article based on the provided text:

Summary:

In 2025, Delhi experienced its best air quality in eight years, according to Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa. PM2.5 and PM10 levels significantly decreased compared to 2024. The city also saw an increase in the number of days with a good Air Quality Index (AQI). On New Year’s Day 2026, Delhi observed cooler than normal temperatures.

News Article:

Delhi Breathes Easier: 2025 Marked Best Air Quality in Eight Years

New Delhi – Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced that the national capital achieved its best air quality in eight years in 2025. Speaking on Thursday, January 1, 2026, Sirsa cited a significant decline in PM2.5 and PM10 levels, key indicators of air pollution. PM2.5 levels fell from 104 micrograms per cubic meter in 2024 to 96 micrograms per cubic meter in 2025, while PM10 levels decreased from 212 to 197 micrograms per cubic meter during the same period.

“Delhiites gave us the mandate to serve, and we made clean air our foremost pledge. The record number of good AQI days in 2025 proves that science-led action works wonders,” said Minister Sirsa. According to government data, Delhi enjoyed approximately 200 days in 2025 with an Air Quality Index (AQI) below 200, representing a 15% improvement compared to the previous four years.

The improved air quality comes as a welcome relief to residents who have long battled the city’s notorious smog. The announcement coincides with cooler than usual temperatures in the capital. The Safdarjung observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 17.3 degrees Celsius, two degrees below the seasonal norm, while Lodhi Road saw a maximum temperature of 15.8 degrees Celsius, a full 5.2 degrees below normal.

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