# Toxic Yamuna foam returns as Delhi AQI hits 168 2026-10-25T05:36:14+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Thick white foam has resurfaced on the Yamuna near Kalindi Kunj even as Delhi-NCR’s overall Air Quality Index reached 168 on Sunday, 25 October, indicating unhealthy air. PM2.5 and PM10 remained the primary pollutants, with readings varying between 110 at PGDAV College in Sriniwaspuri and above 180 at other stations. The Commission for Air Quality Management had invoked Stage 1 of the Graded Response Action Plan on 21 October, banning coal and firewood use in tandoors at hotels and restaurants and restricting diesel generators to essential services. The foam reappeared days after chief minister Rekha Gupta inaugurated infrastructure projects worth around Rs 9,000 crore and described the day as joyful for Delhi residents. She reiterated the government's commitment to cleaning the Yamuna within a few years, following projects worth Rs 9,000 crore to Rs 10,000 crore initiated in 2025. ## Indian Opinion Analysis The return of toxic foam undercuts the chief minister's claim of steady progress on Yamuna rejuvenation. Gupta herself linked the Rs 9,000 crore infrastructure push to a cleaner river, but the visuals from Kalindi Kunj show no visible improvement. Neither the CAQM nor the Delhi government has explained why the foam persists despite large spending. The AQI of 168, though within GRAP-1 range, is close to the threshold for Stage 2 curbs. The next trigger, an AQI of 201, would bring stricter measures, including a ban on diesel light goods vehicles. ## Coverage - timesofindia.indiatimes.com Leads with factual AQI figure and foam visuals, includes Gupta's statement without editorial comment This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Tags: CAQM, Delhi, GRAP, Rekha Gupta, Yamuna Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/toxic-yamuna-foam-returns-as-delhi-aqi-hits-168/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/toxic-yamuna-foam-returns-as-delhi-aqi-hits-168/#story-in-brief How this brief was made: an AI model read the report linked above and wrote this summary and analysis, which were published automatically. Published briefs are sampled every hour by an automated quality check; the editor verifies its findings and approves corrections, and corrected briefs carry a dated correction line. We do no original reporting. Methodology: https://indianopinion.org/ai-use-policy/