Delhi has progressively seen worse pollution every winter, becoming the most polluted city in the world. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the nation’s capital recently saw the worst air quality in history, with the air quality index alternating between “very poor” (AQI between 301 and 400) and “severe” (AQI over 400) categories in November 2024.
Urbanization, vehicle emissions, industrial pollution, construction dust, grain burning in neighbouring states, and unfavourable weather patterns brought on by climate change that trap pollutants closer to the ground are just a few of the causes that have contributed to the reduction in air quality.
More than 51.5% of Delhi&’s local air pollution comes from vehicle emissions, surpassing other capital sources. This is especially noticeable in the winter when pollution levels are usually high.
According to the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), car emissions cause more dangerous pollutants than dust from road construction and stubble burning. More than one million vehicles enter and exit Delhi daily, significantly worsening the city’s air quality. The kind of vehicles on the road contributes to the pollution, with older diesel vehicles that meet Bharat Stage (BS) IV or previous emissions requirements being the main contributors of particulate matter and harmful nitrogen oxides (NOx).
Climate change was also a key player in this scenario; 2024 winter rainfall, a crucial natural air pollution purifier, was noticeably absent as Delhi received no rain between October 1 and November 19, 2024. The significant decrease in air quality over the winter months was partly caused by the accumulation of particulate matter (PM2.5) in the atmosphere, which was made worse by the lack of precipitation. Smog has accumulated over the city due to November’s calm winds and cool temperatures, which have blocked pollutants from spreading. Around 98% of the pollution is linked to grain combustion from nearby states like Punjab and Haryana. The
construction activities also played a crucial role in worsening the current scenario.
This shift in air quality severely affects the middle class and the lower class of society. Migrant labourers and construction workers lose many jobs due to building project prohibitions, making this industry one of the most severely affected by air quality improvement initiatives. In addition to tampering with their income, this puts them in unstable financial circumstances and frequently forces them to take out high-interest loans to cover necessities. The problems of middle-class families are worsened by poor air quality, as many of them are impacted by increased respiratory ailments and medical costs. Additionally, everyday activities are affected, primarily when work- from-home laws are implemented, which adds to the financial and logistical burden. Unskilled workers, who usually work outside, must consider putting money before health and the risk of
exposure to dangerous pollutants.
The Indian government has implemented several mitigating measures to reduce harmful emissions and enhance air quality in response to the worsening air pollution. The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which went into effect in November 2024, is one of the main tactics. Strict precautions are enforced under this plan, including prohibiting development, restricting car access, and switching schools to online instruction during periods of extreme pollution. The Delhi government has put rigorous regulations in place to combat automobile
pollution. Older cars and diesel trucks are prohibited, and BS-III gasoline and BS-IV diesel vehicles are not permitted to operate inside city borders under the GRAP framework. To guarantee compliance, authorities have also stepped up their enforcement of emission limits. In an attempt to hold car owners responsible for emissions, more than 270,000 challans for violations of the Pollution Under Control (PUC) standards had been issued as of November
2024. Focusing on significant causes, including development, vehicle emissions, and industrial operations, highlights the government’s all-encompassing strategy to reduce air pollution while advancing sustainable urban living and public health.
The Paris Agreement, an international framework for combating climate change, significantly impacts Delhi’s 2024 air pollution control. India’s revised Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) strongly emphasize switching to non-fossil fuels and lowering emissions intensity by 2030. Experts at COP29 stress the importance of incorporating air quality objectives into climate strategies, a practice Delhi increasingly embraces. These initiatives highlight how air pollution and climate change are connected, encouraging solid plans to deal with both problems through coordinated legislation and global cooperation.
As the head of state struggles to breathe, the fog has become a daily sight for Delhiites; the situation worsens with every passing moment. Inaction now threatens to spread this catastrophe to other states across India, pushing the nation toward irreversible damage. Mitigating air pollution is not solely the government’s responsibility; it requires collective action and impartial governance.
Hanna Sunny, Research Scholar, Department of International Relations, Peace and Public Policy , St Joseph’s University, Bengaluru.
Dr. Karamala Areesh Kumar, Head, Department of International Relations, Peace and Public Policy , St Joseph’s University, Bengaluru
