Meta description: The capital once again faces a public health emergency driven by pollution, policy gaps, and seasonal neglect. Toxic fog has pushed Delhi into the Severe Plus AQI category.
Winter arrived in New Delhi this week, not in a rush, but in a gasp. Delhi air quality has reached the severe-plus category, disrupting flights, trains, schools and daily activities. Thick fog enclosed the sky, Visibility fell to almost zero, and air quality reached the dreaded ‘very poor’ group with AQI levels reaching the upper limit of 500. As breathing failed outside, dangerous and even indoors offered no relief. The bearing was swift and extensive.
The emergency resulted in the cancellation of over a hundred flights, hundreds of delays, and disruptions to rail services as fog obscured runways and pathways. The government responded by imposing the strictest level of emergency measures, which is GRAP stage 4. Construction work was halted. Schools shifted to hybrid or online modes. Offices were advised to limit physical attendance and start working from home, and residents were urged to stay indoors unless necessary.
But this isn’t just a weather phenomenon or a seasonal cycle with minor encounters. It’s a public health emergency, a serious delinquent. Doctors have advised of a sharp increase in breathing problems, eye irritation, and cardiovascular complications, especially among children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions. Prolonged exposure to such toxic air can reduce lung capacity, weaken immunity, and shorten life expectancy for millions of people in Delhi. This crisis is not just impermanent- It’s recurrent, repeated, and unbearable.
Although stubble burning, vehicle exhaust, industrial pollution, and adverse weather are often cited as causes, the real issue is chronic delay. Year after year, emergency responses replace long-term planning. Guidelines are unsettled, implementation is inconsistent, and accountability across various actions diminishes. What should be a matched year-round strategy becomes a last-minute hike every winter.
The intentional response underscores the gravity of the situation. Several countries, including Singapore, the UK and Canada, have delivered rival health advisories warning their citizens about the threat. The answer shows urgency, but the scale of the emergency demands something deeper: A Permanent solution, not cyclic firefighting.
When the air itself turns out to be dangerous, a city knows it’s in crisis.