The Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board has intensified air-quality monitoring ahead of Diwali, with special machines installed in Haldwani and Nainital to track pollution levels during the festival period.

The monitoring began one week before Diwali and will continue for one week after the festival. The move follows directions from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), with officials expecting air pollution to rise during Diwali celebrations.

Anurag Negi, the regional manager of the Pollution Control Board, said monitoring machines have been placed at 2 locations in Haldwani and one location in Nainital. The data collected from these sites will be compiled into a detailed report and sent to the board’s headquarters.

Haldwani’s earlier Diwali readings

Officials cited previous AQI readings to underline the seasonal rise in pollution. Haldwani recorded an AQI of 223 on Diwali in 2023, placing the air in the poor category.

The city’s AQI was 192 in 2024, which fell in the average category. In 2025, the reading was 194. Officials linked that year’s figure to Diwali being observed over 2 days, while still classifying the reading as average.

These figures are being used as a reference while the current monitoring programme tracks air quality around this year’s festival. The special machines are intended to provide more detailed local data from Haldwani and Nainital.

Current AQI readings

The latest figures provided in the report showed Haldwani’s AQI at 110 on 6 November 2026. Nainital recorded an AQI of 74 on 7 November, indicating better air quality than Haldwani at the reported time.

However, Udham Singh Nagar remained the district with the higher reported pollution levels across the state. Rudrapur recorded an AQI of 141, while Kashipur recorded 145 in the latest figures.

Under the AQI scale used in the report:

  • 0 to 50 is considered good and safe for health.
  • 51 to 100 is satisfactory, although sensitive people may experience a mild effect.
  • 101 to 200 is average, and people with breathing problems and older adults may face discomfort.
  • 201 to 300 is poor, with most people likely to experience breathing difficulty.
  • 301 to 400 is very poor and can have a serious health impact.
  • 401 to 500 is severe, with a higher risk of serious respiratory illness.

The current readings place Haldwani, Rudrapur and Kashipur in the average category, while Nainital’s reported AQI of 74 falls in the satisfactory range.

Conclusion

Special monitoring will continue from one week before Diwali through one week after the festival, with the collected Haldwani and Nainital data due to be reported to the Pollution Control Board headquarters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why have special machines been installed in Haldwani and Nainital?

The machines are being used for air-pollution sampling and monitoring during the Diwali period, following CPCB directions.

Q. How long will the monitoring continue?

Monitoring will run from one week before Diwali until one week after the festival.

Q. Where have the machines been installed?

2 machines have been installed at locations in Haldwani and one in Nainital.

Q. What was Haldwani’s AQI on 6 November 2026?

Haldwani recorded an AQI of 110 on 6 November 2026.

Q. What was Nainital’s AQI on 7 November?

Nainital recorded an AQI of 74 on 7 November.

Q. Which reported locations had the highest AQI figures?

Kashipur recorded 145 and Rudrapur recorded 141 in the latest figures provided.

Q. What does an AQI between 101 and 200 indicate?

It is classified as average, and people with breathing problems and older adults may experience difficulty or discomfort.