On Monday, Delhi recorded a “very poor” air quality index (AQI) of 379, according to the Central Pollution Control Board. The situation is expected to worsen, with forecasts predicting “severe” levels above an AQI of 400 by Tuesday. This level of pollution poses risks to healthy individuals and significantly impacts those with pre-existing health conditions.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) implemented these measures, citing “highly unfavourable meteorological conditions,” including calm winds that exacerbate pollution. Schools were directed to move to a hybrid mode — combining online and in-person classes — for students up to Grade 5. The federal government was also advised to introduce staggered office timings to reduce vehicular congestion.
Northern India experiences a severe pollution crisis every winter due to a combination of factors. Cold temperatures and stagnant air trap pollutants from vehicle emissions, construction dust, and smoke from illegal farm fires in the neighboring states of Punjab and Haryana. In November, Delhi’s AQI spiked to a hazardous 494, prompting school closures and remote work policies for government offices.
On November 18, a dense blanket of toxic smog reduced visibility to 100 meters in Delhi and nearby Chandigarh. Despite the conditions, flights and trains continued to operate with minor delays. The pollution control authority reported an AQI of 484 in Delhi that day, marking it as the worst air quality recorded this year.
Global air quality monitoring firm IQAir ranked New Delhi as the most polluted city in the world, with a hazardous AQI of 1,081. The concentration of PM2.5 — fine particulate matter dangerous to respiratory and cardiovascular health — was measured at 130.9 times above the World Health Organization’s recommended levels.
These recurring pollution crises highlight the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address air quality, including stricter enforcement of emissions controls, management of crop burning practices, and sustainable urban planning.
