Delhi continues its battle against severe air pollution, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) firmly in the ‘very poor’ category. The city, now in its ninth consecutive day of smog following Diwali celebrations, registered an AQI of 360 as of 8 a.m. on Saturday, according to SAFAR data.
Visuals from Kartavya Path depict a dense layer of smog engulfing the area, with AQI levels reaching 391, while nearby AIIMS recorded an AQI of 343. Other major regions are facing similar conditions: New Moti Bagh recorded 411, Bawana 409, and Anand Vihar 393, indicating widespread pollution across the capital. Notably, Akshardham, a major tourist attraction and key transit route to Uttar Pradesh, reported an AQI of 393, categorizing its air as ‘very poor.’
Locals report health issues, including respiratory problems, headaches, coughs, and irritation due to the pollution. “Pollution is worsening day by day after Diwali, affecting especially the elderly and those with existing health conditions,” said Shubham, a Delhi resident.
Highlighting the complexity of Delhi’s air crisis, a cyclist at India Gate pointed to multiple contributing factors—stubble burning, vehicle emissions, and firecrackers—and stressed that controlling pollution would require collective action: “There is no one solution; everyone must do their part.”
Another resident, Aakash, lamented that pollution levels seem to increase yearly, impacting health for both young and old. “Climate change and pollution are going hand-in-hand, creating more issues each year,” he said.
Doctors have said a rise in respiratory cases linked to the deteriorating air quality. Dr. Bobby Bhalotra, Vice Chairman of Respiratory Medicine at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, said, “There’s a clear spike in patients reporting breathlessness. Many are losing sleep due to persistent coughs, especially those with asthma, COPD, or chronic exposure to dust, including police personnel.”
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai recently met with various departments to address the pollution crisis, calling for a unified approach among North Indian states. He accused BJP-led neighboring states of “politicizing” the issue rather than collaborating on effective solutions.
(Inputs from ANI)
