Delhi, the capital of India, is grappling with one of the worst air pollution crises in recent history, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching hazardous levels. On Tuesday, the AQI in the city was recorded at 494, a figure that falls within the “severe” category. Air pollution in Delhi has been at alarming levels for several days, forcing authorities to take drastic measures to protect public health and safety.
In response to the deteriorating air quality, schools in Delhi, particularly primary and middle schools, have been closed as a precautionary measure. The closure extends beyond the city center, affecting the outskirts of Delhi as well. The government’s focus is to shield children from exposure to dangerous levels of pollutants, which have the potential to cause long-term respiratory issues.
Two of Delhi’s premier universities have also decided to conduct classes online until at least November 22 and 23. The universities, which attract thousands of students from across the country, made the decision after consultations with experts, given the sustained high levels of pollution. As the air quality shows no immediate signs of improvement, online classes have become a temporary but necessary alternative to ensure education continues without endangering students’ health.
The situation has worsened due to a combination of weather conditions and human activities. A thick layer of fog blanketed Delhi and the neighboring states of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana on Tuesday, further trapping pollutants in the air. Dense fog conditions were accompanied by visibility issues, and authorities had to issue an orange alert for dense fog for the second consecutive day. The fog, combined with the pollution, led to disruptions in transportation, with several flights and trains delayed or canceled. A report from local media stated that 22 trains were delayed, and eight flights were diverted early in the morning due to the low visibility caused by toxic smog.
Among the most concerning aspects of the pollution crisis is the rise in health-related issues among residents. Hospitals in the city have reported an increase in patients suffering from respiratory problems, including coughs and difficulty breathing. For many Delhiites, the daily exposure to high levels of particulate matter, particularly PM 2.5 and PM 10, has become a health hazard. These pollutants are small enough to enter the lungs and bloodstream, causing long-term damage to the respiratory system and increasing the risk of heart diseases.
In an effort to mitigate the situation, the Delhi Zoo is using water sprinklers to reduce the impact of the pollution on animals. The zoo is home to numerous wildlife species, and officials are taking extra precautions to ensure that animals do not suffer from the same health issues as the human population. This highlights the far-reaching consequences of the severe air quality, which affects not only people but also the environment and wildlife.
The root causes of Delhi’s air pollution are multifaceted. Industrial activities and the high volume of vehicular traffic are major contributors, compounded by rapid urbanization and construction activities. However, the situation worsens during the winter months due to the burning of crop stubble in neighboring states such as Punjab and Haryana. The practice of stubble burning releases large amounts of smoke and particulate matter into the atmosphere, significantly raising the levels of PM 2.5 and PM 10 in Delhi’s air. As a result, Delhi regularly ranks among the most polluted cities in the world.
Delhi’s environment minister, Gopal Rai, has called for urgent intervention from the federal government. Rai has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take decisive action to curb the worsening air quality. In a statement, Rai emphasized that it was the Prime Minister’s moral responsibility to address the alarming pollution levels and to implement effective measures to bring the situation under control. Rai suggested the possibility of artificial rain measures to reduce the smog and requested an emergency meeting with experts to discuss solutions.
The severity of the pollution crisis has sparked political debate, with opposition leaders criticizing the government’s response. Congress party leader Shashi Tharoor questioned Delhi’s suitability as the national capital, given its increasingly uninhabitable air quality during certain months. Tharoor pointed out that the city is essentially uninhabitable from November to January due to the toxic air, leading to further calls for urgent action.
As Delhi continues to battle this severe air pollution, the focus is shifting toward long-term solutions, including stricter pollution control measures, better waste management, and a reduction in emissions from stubble burning. Until then, residents are left to contend with the daily health risks posed by one of the world’s most polluted urban environments.
