New Delhi has recently faced its worst air pollution in nearly a decade, sparking public protests and criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. During November and December, when pollution usually peaks, the air quality index soared above 300 on 88% of the days. To put that in perspective, a reading above 300 is considered hazardous, while a score of 50 is what’s deemed acceptable.
New Delhi struggles with pollution year after year. Factors like crop burning in nearby states, heavy traffic, and colder weather contribute to severe winter smog. The city is among the most polluted in the world, posing serious health risks, especially for children.
This winter’s air quality issues have tested Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which recently took over city governance. Even with promises to combat pollution, the government’s response has drawn criticism. Lawmakers did not prioritize air quality discussions in a recent parliamentary session, and stricter anti-pollution measures were introduced later than usual, raising concerns.
Environmental lawyer Ritwick Dutta noted, “Politicians are not talking about air pollution.” This silence from the government has fueled public anger.
Opposition groups, like the Aam Aadmi Party, which previously led the capital for a decade, accuse the BJP of underreporting pollution levels. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has blamed the prior administration, claiming her government needs 27 months to show real results.
Despite Modi promoting India as a rising power with the third-largest economy in Asia, the pollution tarnishes that image. Tourists and skilled workers are increasingly avoiding the city. Recently, Akums Drugs’ finance chief resigned due to health concerns related to the pollution.
Public frustration boiled over this winter, leading to rare protests. During a visit from football star Lionel Messi, some in the crowd chanted “AQI, AQI” when Gupta took the stage.
The winter smog in New Delhi is created by multiple factors, including crop burning, firecrackers, traffic, industry, and construction dust. This year, the problem worsened when the Supreme Court eased firecracker restrictions right before Diwali, a move supported by the BJP, despite the declining air quality.
The average air quality index in December reached 350.4, the highest since 2018. The pollution crisis extends beyond New Delhi. Major cities like Mumbai also report worsening air quality. A recent study indicated that all 33 states and territories in India had breached WHO air quality guidelines.
After protests in November, the government responded with stricter controls, halting non-essential construction and suggesting online classes for primary schools. Unfortunately, these measures have not led to improvements. The BJP has even considered controversial methods like creating artificial rain, but with little effect.
Kalyani Tembhe, from the Centre for Science and Environment, stated, “Right now, we are going one step forward and two steps back.” The pollution levels in Delhi are so high that efforts seem reactive rather than proactive.
For authentic updates and statistics, refer to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air and Bloomberg for detailed analyses.
