New Delhi | Special Correspondent: Arun Sharma

Delhi once again finds itself gasping for breath. Large parts of the national capital recorded ‘Severe Plus’ air quality levels for several hours, turning the city’s air into a serious public health hazard. On Sunday, monitoring stations in Anand Vihar, Mundka and Rohini reported AQI readings close to the maximum level of 500, exposing residents to extremely dangerous pollution levels.


According to official data, out of 37 active air quality monitoring stations, as many as 32 recorded air quality in the ‘Severe’ category, while several others slipped into the ‘Very Poor’ range. Anand Vihar emerged as one of the worst-affected hotspots, with particulate matter (PM2.5) levels shooting far beyond permissible limits, posing grave risks to children, the elderly and people suffering from respiratory ailments.


Experts attribute the alarming spike to a combination of factors—high local emissions, heavy vehicular traffic, industrial pollution and unfavourable meteorological conditions. Low wind speed has prevented dispersion of pollutants, allowing toxic particles to stagnate in the atmosphere. Environmental specialists warn that unless urgent corrective measures are taken, pollution levels could worsen further in the coming days.


Health professionals have raised serious concerns, cautioning that prolonged exposure to such toxic air can lead to asthma attacks, cardiovascular complications, lung damage and eye irritation. Vulnerable groups, particularly children and senior citizens, have been advised to avoid outdoor activities and limit exposure as much as possible.


The situation raises a critical question: What is the government doing? Every winter, Delhi descends into a predictable cycle of toxic air, yet long-term solutions remain elusive. Pollution control plans are announced repeatedly, but their impact on the ground appears minimal, leaving citizens to bear the consequences year after year.


Delhi’s deteriorating air quality is no longer just an environmental issue—it has evolved into a full-blown public health emergency. The capital urgently needs decisive, sustained and transparent action, moving beyond short-term measures, to ensure clean air and safeguard the fundamental right of its citizens to breathe freely.