There are two cardboard boxes in Meenu Rana’s living room in Delhi. One is filled with Diwali decorations and twinkling lights. The other holds air purifiers.
“The mornings have already started feeling stuffy. It will get worse in the coming days, so it’s better to be prepared,” says the 43-year-old teacher.
She is not alone. Every year, as winter and the festive season approach, residents of India’s capital begin preparing for something far less celebratory: months of breathing polluted air.
Delhi and its satellite cities record some of the world’s highest pollution levels through the year. But as winter sets in, the air often becomes unbearable.
Quick Fact
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| What Happened | Delhi faces another winter air pollution crisis. |
| Location | Delhi, India |
| Time Period | 1 November to 28 February |
| Main Causes | Vehicle emissions, factory smoke, construction dust and crop residue burning. |
| Key Measures | Vehicle restrictions, construction controls, work from home and improved pollution monitoring. |
| Authorities | Delhi Government and Commission for Air Quality Management. |
| Current Situation | Winter pollution control measures and GRAP restrictions are in place, according to the supplied report. |
| Why It Matters | Air pollution threatens public health and affects daily life. |
Pollutants are trapped near the ground rather than being able to spread when temperatures drop and winds decrease. Construction dust and pollutants from companies and automobiles are increased by smoke from burning crop leftovers in nearby states. The usage of firecrackers at festivals frequently deteriorates the quality of the air.
As a result, there is toxic air and the well-known subject of why pollution persists year after year and why more hasn’t been done to address it.
But this year, months before the worst of the fog hit, the Delhi government unveiled its Winter Action Plan.
Delhi Struggles with Toxic Winter Smog
The city is reverting to a depressingly familiar pattern just days after the plan went into action.
This week, Delhi is shrouded in a gray cloud and has an unpleasant smoky odor that many are hesitant to acknowledge. Coughs and sneezes are heard everyplace, and many complain of breathing difficulties and eye discomfort.
Air purifiers are becoming a home must for those who can afford them. People try to shield themselves from the worst of the pollution by covering their faces with fabric or donning masks while they are outside.
Delhi’s Winter Plan to Combat Pollution
Tackling pollution was among the promises made by the governing Bharatiya Janata Party during its election campaign last year. Its winter action plan is now a major test of that pledge.
The plan restricts the entry of older, more polluting vehicles registered outside Delhi and denies fuel to vehicles without a certificate which shows they meet emission standards. Demolitions and outdoor construction work that generate dust have been temporarily banned.
Private vehicle use is being discouraged – the government has asked offices to allow half of their employees to work from home, introduced staggered office timings for its staff and doubled parking charges. It says it will also strengthen pollution monitoring and enforcement and promote public transport and electric vehicles.
These measures are separate from the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap), which is overseen by the federal Commission for Air Quality Management.
Pollution Plans Face Enforcement Challenges
During last year’s election campaign, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party pledged to address pollution. Now, a significant test of that commitment is its winter action plan.
The idea denies gasoline to vehicles without a certificate proving they satisfy pollution requirements and limits the admission of older, more polluting cars registered outside of Delhi. Dust-producing outdoor construction projects and demolitions have been temporarily prohibited.
The federal Commission for Air Quality Management is in charge of the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap), which is distinct from these actions.
