Brian Barton
Delhi's air pollution has been a persistent issue for years, with the city regularly ranked as one of the most polluted globally. The air quality index (AQI) often exceeds safe levels, indicating hazardous conditions with significant health impacts. While the problem is most acute from November to February, Delhi's air quality falls short of clean-air standards year-round. Various factors contribute to Delhi's poor air quality, including vehicle emissions, industrial activities, agricultural burning, and construction. Despite government initiatives to address the issue, such as the installation of smog towers and the implementation of the GRAP plan, the city continues to grapple with high pollution levels, underscoring the urgency of finding effective, long-term solutions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Overall Air Quality Index | 123 (Poor level) |
| PM2.5 | 44µg/m³ |
| PM10 | 128µg/m³ |
| Temperature | 35°C |
| Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) | 6 |
| Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) | 5 |
| Ozone (O3) | 18 |
| Carbon Monoxide (CO) | 7 |
| Annual PM2.5 guideline value | 10.2 times the World Health Organization recommendation |
| Causes of Pollution | Motor vehicle emissions, agricultural stubble burning, wood-burning fires, cow dung combustion, fires on agricultural land, diesel generator exhaust, dust from construction sites, burning garbage, illegal industrial activities, coal-burning power plants, waste piling up in landfills, highway and flyover construction |
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What You'll Learn
Stubble burning
However, there is some discrepancy in the data regarding the contribution of stubble burning to Delhi's air pollution. A scientific study cited by the Indian government in the Supreme Court indicates that agricultural burning contributes just 4% to PM 2.5 and 7% to PM10 concentrations in winter and summer, respectively. The Delhi government has blamed stubble burning as a major cause of air pollution, but the Supreme Court has stated that this claim lacks a factual basis. The court concluded that industrial activity, power generation, vehicular traffic, and construction are the major contributors to poor air quality, while stubble burning is a minor factor.
Farmers in northern India burn about 23 million tonnes of paddy stubble every year. They burn the stubble twice a year: in summer and at the onset of winter. The warm breeze during the first burning disperses the smoke quickly. However, during the second burning, in September or October, the combination of low temperatures and wind speed causes the smoke to spread over a more extensive area. The share of stubble burning in Delhi's pollution can range from 1% to 42%, depending on wind speed and direction.
While stubble burning is a significant issue, other sources of pollution in Delhi include dust, industrial and vehicular emissions, and incineration. Weather conditions, such as wind speed and direction, also play a crucial role in determining the overall air quality. Efforts to curb stubble burning have faced challenges, and there is a growing gap between farmers and policymakers. Experts attribute this partly to policies that have incentivised bulk agricultural production over the decades, leading to a system that prioritises food grain production over clean air.
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Vehicle emissions
To address this issue, the Delhi government is actively promoting electric vehicles (EVs). The Chief Minister of Delhi inaugurated 25 low-cost EV charging stations, and the city now boasts around 2,400 EV charging points. Almost 12% of vehicles sold in Delhi are EVs, giving the city the highest density of electric vehicles in the country. The government has also implemented GRAP Stage 4 restrictions, which include a ban on BS-3 petrol and BS-4 diesel cars within the national capital, as well as restrictions on the movement of other vehicles.
Despite these efforts, Delhi's air quality remains a serious concern. In November 2024, Delhi recorded its worst air quality of the season, with an AQI reading of 491, classified as "severe plus." This level indicates hazardous conditions, particularly for vulnerable populations. The PM2.5 concentration is currently 10.2 times the World Health Organization's annual guideline value. Motor vehicle emissions are a significant contributor to this poor air quality, along with other sources such as wood-burning fires, exhaust from diesel generators, and dust from construction sites.
Delhi's air pollution is not limited to a single cause, and various factors contribute to the city's poor air quality. However, vehicle emissions play a significant role, and addressing this issue through the adoption of electric vehicles and the implementation of restrictions on polluting vehicles is crucial in the fight against air pollution in Delhi. The government's efforts to promote electric vehicles and implement emission-reducing measures are steps in the right direction toward improving the city's air quality and protecting the health of its residents.
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Industrial activities
Delhi, the capital of India, has been deemed the most polluted major city in the world. The air pollution in Delhi is estimated to kill about 2 million people every year, and it is the fifth largest cause of death in India. The pollution is at its worst from November to February, but Delhi's air quality remains poor for much of the year.
The burning of fossil fuels in industrial boilers and furnaces, as well as the use of vehicles for loading and unloading, are major sources of industrial air pollution. Additionally, the drift/mist emissions from the wet cooling towers used in many industries contribute to particulate matter in the air.
To address the issue of industrial air pollution in Delhi, the Delhi government has implemented several measures. In November 2021, the government shut down all schools and government offices for a week due to severe air pollution. The government also added 1000 extra CNG buses to the public transport fleet and banned diesel cars over 10 years old and petrol cars over 15 years old due to the high levels of pollution they cause.
The air quality in Delhi remains a serious issue, with high levels of PM2.5 and PM10 particulate matter, as well as nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and ozone pollution. The pollution has severe health impacts, particularly for vulnerable populations, and has irreversibly damaged the lungs of 2.2 million children in Delhi.
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Construction
Under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), there are four escalating stages that trigger stricter pollution control measures. At Stage II, non-essential construction such as brick kilns and crushers are suspended, and at Stage III, there is a full ban on construction except for critical projects.
Dust mitigation norms under GRAP-III aim to curb dust emissions from construction sites. Sites over 20,000 sqm in built-up area must install anti-smog guns, and all vehicles carrying construction materials should be covered with wheels washed. No loose soil or construction material should be left uncovered, and water must be sprinkled on unpaved surfaces and areas with loose soil. In addition, sites are mandated to prohibit grinding and cutting of building materials in open areas.
Despite challenges, major construction sites in Delhi are complying with government regulations. For example, the Central Vista project in Central Delhi demonstrated proper compliance with four operational anti-smog guns, regular water sprinkling, and protective wind-breaking walls.
The efficacy of these individual steps has been a matter of public debate, and the implementation of proposed measures has been lacking in the past. However, with ongoing efforts to regulate construction dust and the use of anti-smog technology, there is a continued focus on reducing the impact of construction on Delhi's air quality.
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Government initiatives
Delhi is the most polluted capital city in the world, with air pollution accounting for more than 2 million deaths per year in India. The Indian government has implemented several initiatives to tackle this issue.
In 2022, the Punjab Government announced they would purchase maize, sorghum, pearl millet, sunflower, and mung bean crops at MSP, encouraging farmers to adopt less water-consuming options as a sustainable alternative to paddy and wheat. In the same year, the Delhi government started spraying PUSA bio-decomposer in farmlands to combat pollution. Nearly 3,200 acres have been covered, and 581 water sprinklers, 80 mechanized road sweeping machines, 233 anti-smog guns at construction sites, 150 vehicles mounted with anti-smog guns, and nine sprinkling facilities on high-rise buildings are now operational in the capital. The Delhi government also made Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCC) mandatory at filling stations.
In 2020, Delhi authorities established a 10-member air pollution control team to examine complaints received through the "Green Delhi" mobile app. They also regulate construction dust and ban diesel generators. In 2017, the Supreme Court of India banned the sale of firecrackers in Delhi.
In November 2024, when Delhi recorded its worst air quality of the season, the government mandated that primary schools transition to online classes until further notice. A ban was also placed on all construction and demolition activities, with exceptions made for specific projects related to defense, metro, railways, airports, and healthcare facilities. Chief Minister Atishi announced a revision of working hours across government offices to combat pollution and reduce traffic congestion. The government also implemented the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to prevent further deterioration of air quality.
The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) introduced 106 shuttle bus services to connect various colonies and serve offices in areas such as Badarpur, Janakpuri, and Pahargram. The Metro train also ran 60 additional trips. Restrictions were imposed on the operation of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel four-wheelers in Delhi and the surrounding districts. All mining activities and stone-crushing operations in Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region (NCR) were ceased.
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Frequently asked questions
As of June 15, 2025, the air quality in Delhi is 118, which is considered poor.
Delhi's air pollution has many causes, including motor vehicle emissions, wood-burning fires, agricultural fires, and industrial activities. The biggest cause is stubble burning in Haryana and Punjab, which can account for up to 45% of Delhi's pollution during the crop-burning season.
Breathing the air in Delhi is said to be as harmful as smoking 2.3 to 2.4 cigarettes a day. When the Air Quality Index (AQI) is poor (50-150), there is a moderate risk of asthma symptoms, including frequent wheezing, noticeable shortness of breath, chest tightness, and persistent cough.
The Delhi government has implemented several measures to combat air pollution, including the formation of the Commission for Air Quality Management, a pollution control team, and the installation of smog towers. An initiative being considered is the creation of a 1,600 km long green ecological corridor, involving the planting of 1.35 billion new native trees over 10 years. Additionally, the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has been implemented to trigger stricter pollution control measures as air quality deteriorates.
