New Delhi Suffers Under Pollution / Air in India’s Capital Becomes Dangerous to Health

India’s capital, New Delhi, remains covered by a dense and toxic cloud, while air quality has stayed at a “very poor” level for more than a week. The environmental crisis has affected the city continuously since November 2, putting residents’ health at risk.

The official air quality index stood at approximately 325 points at the latest update, according to the Central Pollution Control Board. However, the India Air Quality Index platform classified the air as “dangerous” and warned that prolonged exposure could have potentially fatal consequences, recommending that residents remain indoors.

Pollution reached an index of 666 points on Monday, the highest value recorded for November 9 in the past five years, according to the platform. The figures cannot be directly compared with India’s official index because they are calculated using different methodologies.

Authorities are using more than 200 anti-smog guns and are maintaining the third level of the GRAP emergency plan, which restricts certain works and the movement of highly polluting vehicles. Researchers argue, however, that the sustainable solution is to reduce emissions at the source, rather than purify the air after pollution has occurred. The Supreme Court has asked authorities in Delhi and neighboring states to submit plans to reduce emissions within two weeks.