After Lahore Toxic Smog Engulfs New Delhi

Green Watch Monitoring Report

New Delhi, home to over 30 million people, is consistently ranked among the world's most polluted urban areas. The city's stubble-burning farmers, factories, and traffic fumes create a toxic cocktail of cancer-causing pollutants. Diwali celebrations pushed air quality to alarming levels, with fine particulate matter (PM2.5) surging to 23 times the WHO's recommended daily maximum.

The Indian capital woke up to a hazardous blanket of smog on Friday, following the Hindu festival of lights, Diwali. Despite a ban on firecrackers, the city's air quality plummeted, exacerbating the already dire pollution crisis.

Critics slam the government's "stilted response" to the crisis, citing infighting between rival politicians and lack of coordination between central and state authorities. India's Supreme Court recently declared clean air a fundamental human right, ordering authorities to take action.

Pollution Levels Soar

Monitoring firm IQ Air listed New Delhi's air as "hazardous," with pollutant levels topping 345 micrograms per cubic meter. The city ranked worst in the world, surpassing smoke-choked Lahore.

Failed Initiatives

Previous attempts to curb pollution, such as restricting vehicle traffic and banning construction work, have yielded mixed results. Experts argue that incremental changes are insufficient, citing an "unfortunate lack of resolve" from both central and state governments.

Residents Suffer

Residents are forced to navigate the toxic air, with many donning masks to protect themselves. The Times of India editorialized, "Delhi's toxic air is killing us softly with its smog... What doesn't cease to amaze, year after year, is the state's stilted response."

Call to Action

As the pollution crisis deepens, authorities face mounting pressure to implement effective solutions. Will the government's latest pledges translate into tangible change, or will New Delhi continue to choke under its hazardous smog?