Delhi Air Pollution Hits 157.9 Micrograms, Far Above Safety Limits
Local experts say the city faces a recurring winter crisis caused by regional emissions and slow policy implementation.
By Oliver Bennett ·
The air in New Delhi has officially entered the "Very unhealthy" category, with residents struggling to breathe as smoke settles over the capital. On Thursday, the average concentration of PM2.5 particles reached 157.9 micrograms per cubic meter. This figure is thirty times higher than the 5 micrograms per cubic meter that the World Health Organization recommends as an annual safe limit.
Khushboo Arora described the daily toll on her body. She reported recurring headaches, itching eyes, and a parched throat. To cope, she has filled her home with air-purifying plants and sprays water mist inside. She also stopped taking morning walks and practicing yoga in local parks. "My parents look at me like I have gone mad," Arora said, noting that many residents do not yet realize the severity of the situation.
Sunil Dahiya, founder of the environmental group EnviroCatalysts, stated that the city is part of a larger airshed. He explained that data from the government's Decision Support System for winter 2025 showed approximately 65% of Delhi's PM2.5 originated outside the city boundaries. Neighboring areas like Noida and Gurugram are major contributors. Only about 35% of the pollution is generated within Delhi itself.
Dahiya argued that the science is not the main obstacle. He said the issues are implementation, regional coordination, and political will. "Until targets are tied to emission reductions at each source, and someone is held accountable for meeting them, we will keep having the same conversation every November," he said. He noted that vehicles alone contribute roughly 51% to 53% of local PM2.5, while a large share of winter pollution forms from gases emitted by power plants and industry.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa pointed to stubble-burning in the neighboring state of Punjab as a factor in the rising pollution. He claimed that construction, vehicle, and industrial sources within Delhi were under control. Dahiya agreed that crop burning is a sharp but episodic contributor. However, he added that if stubble burning ended immediately, Delhi would still have unhealthy air for most of the year.
Bhavreen Kandhari, co-founder of Warrior Moms, criticized the government for focusing on reactive measures rather than prevention. She described the use of water sprinklers and smog guns as photo opportunities that waste public funds. Kandhari also noted that incinerating waste has worsened the situation compared to proper waste management.
Deepika, a domestic worker in South Delhi, has been coughing for a week. She said she has no choice but to endure the conditions for the next few months. Namrata Yadav, a resident and mother of an eight-year-old, said the problems persist a year after she joined protests. "We have spent years learning how to live with pollution," Yadav said. "It is time we demanded that those responsible learn how to end it."
