New Delhi | November 5, 2025 — Environment & Health Report
The national capital woke up under a dense cloud of smog on Tuesday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) hovering between 470 and 490 in multiple parts of Delhi — officially falling into the “severe” category.
Visibility dropped below 100 meters in several zones, forcing schools to limit outdoor activities and hospitals to report a surge in respiratory and eye complaints.
“The city feels like a gas chamber again,” said Dr. Rajesh Khanna, a pulmonologist at AIIMS, describing the spike in asthma and bronchitis cases.
🏙️ Thick Smog Blankets NCR
Satellite images released by IMD and NASA’s MODIS sensors showed thick aerosol concentration over Delhi-NCR, spreading toward Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh.
Experts attribute the spike to stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana, vehicular emissions, and low wind speeds trapping pollutants close to the ground.
However, scientists emphasize that crop residue burning contributes only 25–30% to the capital’s pollution load — the rest comes from urban sources like construction dust, traffic, and industrial output.
🧑⚖️ Viral Post Sparks Governance Debate
A former IAS officer’s viral social media post condemning Delhi’s deteriorating air quality has reignited debate over policy failures and civic neglect.
The post, shared over 40,000 times, questioned why despite years of warnings and funds under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), little visible progress has been made.
“We hold summits, make policies, and then choke every winter. Governance isn’t about words — it’s about breathable air,” the post read.
Public reactions were sharply divided — some blamed government inaction, while others urged citizens to curb personal emissions, such as firecracker use and private car trips.
🏥 Health Impact and Emergency Measures
Hospitals across Delhi-NCR reported a sharp rise in patients complaining of breathing discomfort, coughing, eye irritation, and headaches.
The Delhi government issued an advisory urging residents to stay indoors during peak smog hours, use N95 masks, and avoid strenuous outdoor activity.
Emergency steps under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) have been activated, including:
Ban on construction and demolition work,
Restrictions on diesel vehicle entry, and
Encouragement of work-from-home policies for private offices.
🌿 Experts Call for Structural Reform
Environmentalists warn that Delhi’s pollution crisis cannot be solved with short-term bans or advisories.
“We need year-round enforcement, industrial audits, and incentives for cleaner mobility,” said Sunita Narain, Director General of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).
“Without accountability from both citizens and the system, Delhi will remain trapped in its toxic cycle.”
