From Capital City To Gas Chamber: Delhi’s Air Crisis Reaches Breaking Point

Delhi is once again battling an air emergency, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) hitting a hazardous 500 in multiple areas. Residents of the capital are inhaling pollution levels equivalent to smoking 22 cigarettes daily, a stark contrast to cities like Bengaluru. Schools have gone online, heavy vehicles face restrictions, and odd-even traffic rules are being considered, but these measures have failed to significantly improve the toxic air. The Delhi government has sought the Centre’s approval for artificial rains, but no response has been received. Meanwhile, the political blame game continues, with AAP accusing BJP-ruled states of negligence and the BJP holding the Delhi government accountable. Experts remain skeptical about solutions like cloud seeding, citing its limitations and potential to worsen pollution. Environmentalist Sunita Narain has criticized reactive measures, urging long-term commitments to public transport and sustainable policies. With no immediate relief in sight, Delhi and other north Indian cities brace for more days of suffocating smog, leaving citizens to endure the worsening crisis.