Summary:
Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) are once again trapped under a thick, gray haze. The Air Quality Index (AQI) has reached the “very poor” level, causing serious health risks and strong reactions from the public, the courts, and politicians.
1. Why is the air so bad?
The main reason is stubble burning in nearby states like Punjab and Haryana, where farmers burn leftover crop residue after harvesting paddy.
Weather conditions like low wind speed and cold air make the pollution worse, trapping smoke and dust close to the ground.
Continuous urban traffic and industrial pollution add to the problem.
2. How bad is it?
Delhi’s AQI was 366 on Sunday and 316 on Monday — both in the “very poor” category.
Nearby cities — Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Greater Noida — also recorded AQIs above 340.
At this level, pollution can cause breathing problems, especially for children, the elderly, and people with lung or heart diseases.
3. What are the reactions?
a) Court Reaction:
The Supreme Court scolded
for acting too late every year.
It asked the Air Quality Commission (CAQM) to report what steps they are taking to control pollution.
The court also noted that many air monitoring stations were not working during Diwali, making it hard to track pollution levels.
c) Public Reaction:
Despite toxic air, Delhi hosted marathons and cycling events, which faced massive trolling online.
Many people called it “dangerous” and “suicidal” to run in such bad air.
4. Health experts’ advice:
Dr. Gopi Chand Khilnani, a lung specialist, advised people — especially those with breathing or heart problems — to leave Delhi for 6–8 weeks if possible.
He warned that air pollution is causing lung cancer even in non-smokers.
He suggested using good-quality air purifiers indoors and avoiding outdoor activities.
