The national capital, Delhi, woke up once again to dense smog and poor air quality on Saturday, with pollution levels touching alarming highs. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the city’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 355, placing it firmly in the ‘very poor’ category.
At several monitoring stations, especially in Anand Vihar, the situation was even worse, with readings crossing 403, which falls in the ‘hazardous’ category. The combination of shallow fog, low wind speed, and falling temperatures has trapped pollutants close to the surface, reducing visibility and creating choking conditions for residents.
What the Numbers Mean
The AQI is a measurement scale used to indicate how polluted the air currently is or how polluted it is forecasted to become. It categorizes air quality into six levels — Good (0–50), Satisfactory (51–100), Moderate (101–200), Poor (201–300), Very Poor (301–400), and Severe (401–500).
An AQI of 355, as recorded in Delhi, signifies that the air is highly polluted, and prolonged exposure can cause respiratory issues, throat irritation, coughing, and eye problems, especially for sensitive groups like children and the elderly.
At Anand Vihar, where the AQI touched 403, the air quality entered the severe category, posing a health risk to the entire population. Experts warn that in such conditions, even healthy individuals may experience breathing discomfort and fatigue.
Causes Behind the Deteriorating Air
Delhi’s pollution problem is multifaceted. Each year, around late October and early November, the city’s air quality worsens due to a mix of seasonal, geographical, and human factors.
1. Stubble Burning
One of the biggest contributors during this season is stubble burning in neighboring states like Punjab and Haryana. Farmers set fire to leftover crop residue after harvesting to clear their fields for the next sowing cycle. The smoke from these fires travels hundreds of kilometers and mixes with Delhi’s already polluted air.
2. Vehicular Emissions
With over 10 million vehicles plying the roads daily, vehicular emissions are a major source of fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10). These particles are small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, causing long-term health issues.
3. Construction Dust
Delhi’s rapid urban expansion brings with it construction dust from thousands of ongoing infrastructure and real estate projects. Despite government guidelines mandating dust control measures, compliance remains weak.
4. Weather Conditions
The onset of winter worsens the situation as cold air traps pollutants closer to the ground. The shallow fog that blanketed Delhi this weekend reduced visibility and further limited the natural dispersion of harmful particles.
5. Industrial Emissions
Industrial areas around Delhi, such as Bawana, Mundka, and Okhla, contribute to pollution through factory smoke and unregulated burning of waste materials.
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Impact on Health
Medical experts have raised serious concerns over the public health crisis that air pollution causes every year in Delhi. Prolonged exposure to “very poor” air can lead to breathing difficulties, chronic bronchitis, asthma attacks, and even cardiovascular problems.
Dr. Rajiv Gupta, a senior pulmonologist at AIIMS, warned,
“Even short exposure to AQI levels above 300 can irritate the throat, cause dry cough, and trigger allergies. People with asthma, children, and the elderly must stay indoors as much as possible.”
Health authorities have advised citizens to use N95 masks, avoid outdoor exercises, and keep windows and doors closed during early mornings and late evenings when pollution levels peak.
Government’s Response
The Delhi government has already implemented several emergency measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which is activated when pollution levels reach dangerous levels.
Some of the key measures include:
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Ban on construction and demolition activities in specific zones.
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Restrictions on truck entry into the city, except for essential goods.
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Promotion of public transport, with additional buses and metro frequency.
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Water sprinkling on roads to settle dust particles.
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Closure of schools when the AQI remains in the ‘severe’ range for consecutive days.
Additionally, the Delhi government has renewed its “Red Light On, Gaadi Off” campaign, urging drivers to turn off their engines at traffic signals to reduce idling emissions.
Despite these steps, environmental activists argue that such measures are temporary and reactive, not long-term solutions.
Experts Call for Stronger Action
Environmental experts believe that the battle against Delhi’s pollution requires regional coordination and year-round planning, not just crisis-time interventions.
Anumita Roychowdhury, an air quality expert at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), said,
“The root cause lies in poor urban planning, dependence on private vehicles, and weak enforcement of pollution norms. Delhi cannot solve this problem alone — it needs coordination with neighboring states and stronger national policies.”
Experts also recommend:
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Transition to cleaner fuels in industries.
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Wider use of electric vehicles (EVs) and expansion of EV charging infrastructure.
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Strict monitoring of stubble burning using satellite technology.
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Increased green cover and creation of urban forests.
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Public awareness campaigns to reduce individual contributions to pollution.
Life Under the Smog
For residents, this recurring winter phenomenon has become a grim routine. Commuters reported visibility below 300 meters in several parts of the city on Saturday morning, causing slow traffic and delays in flights and trains.
Office-goers and schoolchildren were seen wearing masks, not because of COVID-19 this time, but to protect themselves from the toxic air. Morning walkers and joggers avoided parks, and several schools rescheduled outdoor activities.
Citizens expressed frustration on social media, demanding accountability and permanent action from both the Delhi and central governments. Many questioned how such severe air quality has become an annual event with little progress year after year.
Way Forward
Delhi’s air pollution crisis highlights the urgent need for sustainable urban living. Tackling it effectively requires a multi-layered approach — combining stricter laws, technological innovation, public cooperation, and political will.
Key long-term solutions include:
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Expanding metro and electric bus networks to reduce private car dependency.
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Upgrading waste management systems to eliminate open burning.
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Encouraging renewable energy adoption and phasing out coal-based power plants near Delhi.
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Introducing pollution taxes for high-emission vehicles and industries.
Citizens also have a role to play by reducing car usage, avoiding firecrackers, and supporting tree plantation drives.
Conclusion
Delhi’s battle with air pollution is not new, but each year, it seems to get worse before any lasting solution is implemented. The AQI touching 355 is not just a statistic — it’s a reminder of the public health emergency facing one of the world’s largest cities.
Until sustained and coordinated efforts are made by governments, industries, and citizens alike, Delhi’s winter will continue to arrive with fog, smog, and breathless mornings.
For now, as shallow fog covers the capital and the AQI remains dangerously high, the people of Delhi can only hope that cleaner skies are not just a dream but a collective commitment for the future.