Delhi’s air Pollution crisis reaches new heights in 2024
New Delhi : As December rolls in, Delhi is still reeling from its worst pollution episode in recent history. On November 18, 2024, the city recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 795—the highest ever from 2021 to 2024. This toxic air led to widespread health problems, including aggravated asthma, sore throats, and burning eyes, highlighting the severity of Delhi’s pollution crisis.
In past years, the pollution levels around November were also alarming but never this extreme. In November 2020, the highest AQI recorded was 518. The numbers rose to 700 in 2021, 555 in 2022, and 528 in 2023. But 2024 broke all records with a staggering 795, marking a new low for the city’s air quality.
November 2024, in general, turned out to be the worst month on record. Hospitals were overwhelmed with patients suffering from pollution-related illnesses, and residents with respiratory conditions struggled to breathe.
Despite the alarming pollution levels, the government’s response has been widely criticised as slow and ineffective. The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) was only partially enforced on November 14 when AQI levels were already at 400. Stricter Stage 4 restrictions were introduced only on November 18, after the situation had spiraled into a health emergency.
The Supreme Court called out the government for its delayed actions and its failure to tackle stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana—one of the main causes of Delhi’s hazardous smog. Every year, stubble burning contributes significantly to the city’s air pollution, but strict measures to curb it remain missing.
This recurring pattern of delayed action raises an important question: why does it take a public health crisis for authorities to respond? Experts believe that Delhi’s air pollution is no longer just an environmental issue; it is a public health emergency.
To tackle this crisis, the government must shift from reactive measures to proactive solutions. For now, the city remains engulfed in smog, serving as a stark reminder of the urgent need for action against air pollution.
