Jayalakshmi K on Why Delhi Becomes a Toxic Gas Chamber Every Winter |
Air pollution in Delhi and its suburbs, which together comprise the National Capital Region (NCR), has been alarming in recent weeks. The problem is not new; it has been a recurring phenomenon largely during winter months over the past decade. This year, the thick, toxic haze that settled on Delhi resulted in Air Quality Index (AQI) levels remaining for several days in the “severe” category. What does this mean for the residents of Delhi and for the economy? What is the government doing about addressing this crisis?
Jayalakshmi K, journalist and environmental activist, spoke to The Diplomat’s South Asia editor, Sudha Ramachandran, on the reasons why Delhi suffers an air pollution crisis every winter. In addition to the impact of vehicle exhaust, stubble burning, and building construction activity, Delhi’s geography makes it vulnerable to toxic haze settling at a height, where people end up breathing in the “toxic soup.” Drawing attention to the various levels of the government’s Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to deal with the air pollution crisis, she pointed out that “GRAP is more of an adaptation mechanism.” She emphasized the “need to address mitigation by looking at long-term measures.”
How has air quality impacted life in Delhi this winter?
As recently as the Monday of Christmas week, the air quality index (AQI), which is a measure of a few primary pollutants, including PM 2.5, PM 10, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and ground-level ozone, hit a high of 471 in Delhi—around 30 times above the WHO-recommended safety levels. The AQI touched 500 in some monitoring stations like Wazirpur and Rohini in Delhi. This kind of air toxicity is particularly of concern for children and elderly people. Prolonged exposure to this level of air pollution can lead to respiratory issues even in healthy people.
The toxic smog engulfed India’s capital city, affecting visibility and vehicular movement, including flights and trains. Children and the elderly have been advised to remain indoors. The Delhi government was forced to ban construction activities and introduce hybrid classes for schools.
Looking at the year 2025, there was not a single day when the AQI was “good.” There were 78 days of moderate AQI; the rest fell under “poor,” “unhealthy,” “severe,” or “hazardous” categories. The AQI was around 218 in January, then dipped to the 80s in the rainy months of July-August, and has then risen during the winter months.
What are the health and economic costs of this toxic smog for India?
This kind of air toxicity is particularly a concern for children and the elderly. Prolonged exposure to this level of air pollution can lead to respiratory issues even in healthy individuals. Between 2022 and 2024, there were around 200,000 cases of acute respiratory illnesses in the capital, the government announced in Parliament recently. Air toxicity contributes to strokes; hospitals in Delhi have seen spikes in admissions for strokes during the peak pollution periods. Doctors have also been warning about growing links to neurodegenerative ailments like dementia and Alzheimer’s, besides cardiovascular problems.
According to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), air pollution is responsible for around 7 million premature deaths globally every year. Nine out of 10 people worldwide breathe unclean air, which is responsible for asthma,........