For much of the year, residents of Delhi breathe air that fails to meet even the most basic global health standards. During peak winter months, concentrations of fine particulate matter, PM2.5, often exceed the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended safe limit, placing India’s capital among the most polluted cities in the country. While public attention intensifies every winter as smog envelops the city, pollution in Delhi is not confined to a single season. Data from national and international monitoring agencies indicate that poor air quality persists year-round, posing a sustained public health risk rather than a temporary environmental inconvenience.
‘Very Poor’ air persists in Delhi
The National Capital Delhi continued to reel under hazardous air conditions on Tuesday as the city’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 378 at around 8 am, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
The air quality showed a marginal improvement compared to Monday, when the AQI had touched 427 at around 4 pm, falling in the ‘severe’ category.
Despite the slight dip, pollution levels remained dangerously high across large parts of the national capital. A dense blanket of toxic smog enveloped the city, severely reducing visibility and causing discomfort to residents. Prominent areas such as India Gate recorded an AQI of 380, while Sarai Kale Khan reported an AQI of around 359, both categorised as ‘very poor’ by the CPCB.
Whereas Ghazipur and Anand Vihar recorded an AQI (Air Quality Index) of around 410 in both areas, categorised as ‘Severe’.
According to AQI categorisation, 0-50 is ‘good’, 51-100 ‘satisfactory’, 101-200 ‘moderate’, 201-300 ‘poor’, 301-400 ‘very poor’, and 401-500 ‘severe’.
Meanwhile, a tourist grappling with Delhi pollution explained his situation, saying to ANI, “The situation here is very serious because of pollution. I arrived in Delhi last evening from Indore. Compared to Indore, I am experiencing difficulty in breathing. Visibility here is very poor; we cannot see the India Gate properly. It is affecting our health.”
What pollutes Delhi’s air?
Delhi’s pollution is driven by a combination of particulate matter and harmful gases. The most dangerous pollutant is PM2.5, microscopic particles small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. According to WHO assessments, prolonged exposure increases the risk of health issues.
Other key pollutants include nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), largely emitted by vehicles; ground-level ozone, formed through chemical reactions triggered by sunlight; and sulfur dioxide (SO₂), mainly linked to industrial activity and power generation.
How bad is it?
WHO data consistently show that Delhi’s annual average PM2.5 concentration far exceeds global health guidelines. While the recommended annual limit is 5 micrograms per cubic meter, Delhi’s readings have remained many times higher.
Multiple sources, one crisis
Contrary to popular belief, Delhi’s pollution cannot be traced to a single cause. Government-supported source apportionment studies indicate that the problem stems from a mix of local and regional factors.
Vehicular emissions remain a major contributor. Road dust and emissions from construction sites add significantly to particulate pollution. Seasonal spikes are further intensified by the open burning of waste within the city and agricultural stubble burning in neighboring states.
Impact on health
The health impacts of prolonged exposure to polluted air are well established. According to the news report by Business Standard, air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region has escalated from a seasonal inconvenience to a serious public health crisis. According to a recent survey by LocalCircles, 82 per cent of residents report that at least one person within their close social circle is suffering from a serious health condition caused by long-term exposure to polluted air. The survey highlights the pervasive impact of air pollution, showing how it has become embedded in daily life, affecting households, workplaces and communities across the region.
Children are particularly vulnerable. Studies show that sustained exposure to high pollution levels can impair lung development, raising the likelihood of respiratory illnesses that persist into adulthood.
Policy measures and their limits
Authorities have introduced several measures, including the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), stricter vehicle fuel standards such as BS-VI, and temporary bans on construction activity during severe pollution episodes. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) was created to improve coordination across states.
Yet many of these steps are reactive. Independent assessments and parliamentary reviews have highlighted the need for long-term planning, consistent enforcement and structural reforms rather than emergency responses each winter.
Coal, firewood tandoors banned; hotels, dhabas shift to clean fuel
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee has issued strict directives banning the use of coal and firewood in tandoors at all hotels, restaurants, and open eateries across Delhi, amid ongoing high pollution levels in the capital. The order, issued on December 9, requires establishments to switch to electric, gas-based, or other clean-fuel appliances.
Ethanol blending and cleaner fuel alternatives
One policy avenue gaining attention is the Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP), which aims to reduce fossil fuel dependence and curb vehicular emissions by blending ethanol with petrol. India has already achieved 20 percent ethanol blending (E20) ahead of schedule, a move that has helped cut carbon dioxide emissions and reduce crude oil imports.
Industry data indicate that the programme has also delivered economic benefits by lowering fuel import bills and supporting rural incomes through increased demand for ethanol feedstocks such as sugarcane and grains. Government statements suggest that E20 fuel can lower pollution levels and, in some cases, improve vehicle performance compared to conventional petrol.
Ethanol blending offers multiple advantages: cleaner combustion due to ethanol’s oxygen content, improved energy security through reduced oil imports, and added income opportunities for farmers.
Flex-fuel vehicles: A longer-term option
Beyond E20, industry experts are exploring flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs), which run on both petrol and pure ethanol. These vehicles automatically adjust engine parameters based on fuel composition, allowing seamless switching between fuels.
International examples, notably Brazil, demonstrate that widespread use of flex-fuel vehicles and high ethanol blends can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality.
The automotive industry, ethanol producers, the government, and other stakeholders must speak with one voice: the way forward is clearly through flex-fuel vehicles.
Barriers to adoption
Despite their promise, flex-fuel vehicles face several challenges in India. Industry stakeholders have called for tax incentives, consumer awareness campaigns and favorable GST rates to accelerate adoption.
Meeting of the Expert Committee constituted by CAQM
Meanwhile, the first meeting of the Expert Committee constituted by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for in NCR and adjoining Areas to address air pollution from vehicular emissions was held on Monday under the Chairmanship of Ashok Jhunjhunwala and Co-Chaired by Prof Randeep Guleria.
The meeting focused on broad discussions on key issues related to vehicular emission sources in Delhi-NCR, CAQM said in a post on X.
“Deliberations covered assessment of segment-wise vehicular emission contributions, exposure risks, EV readiness and infrastructure needs,” CAQM said.
The committee will present concrete, actionable recommendations to reduce vehicular emissions at upcoming meetings.
This comes as the national capital battles with severe air pollution, with AQI crossing the 450 mark, reaching the ‘severe plus’ category, prompting CAQM to impose stage IV restrictions of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
In view of the severe air pollution levels in the national capital, the Delhi Government issued a circular directing schools to shift to online mode from hybrid for students up to class 5. With the Air Quality Index (AQI) remaining in the severe category, the government has directed schools to switch to online mode for these grades until further notice.
What Indian government is doing?
Various studies have been conducted by academic and research institutes on the impact of air pollution. The Government of India launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in 2019 as a long-term, time-bound, national-level strategy to address air pollution in 130 non-attainment and million-plus cities/urban agglomerations in 24 States/UTs.
City-Specific Clean Air Action Plans have been prepared by all 130 cities under NCAP to implement air quality improvement measures in their respective cities. These plans target air pollution sources such as soil and road dust, vehicular emissions, waste burning, construction and demolition activities, and industrial pollution.
Out of the 130 cities under NCAP, 48 million-plus cities/urban agglomerations are funded under the XVth Finance Commission Million Plus City Challenge Fund as an air quality performance grant, while the remaining 82 cities are funded under the Control of Pollution Scheme of MoEFCC. Accordingly, Rs 13,415 Crore has been released under NCAP for 130 cities as critical gap funding from 2019-20 to date.
In addition, NCAP emphasizes the mobilization of resources through the convergence of various Central Government schemes such as Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), AMRUT, Smart City Mission, PM e-Bus Sewa, PM E-DRIVE, SATAT, and Nagar Van Yojana, as well as resources from State Governments/UT administrations and agencies like Municipal Corporations and Urban Development Authorities. Various Ministries and Departments of the Government of India also provide funding under their respective schemes and programmes as per their budgets.
The bigger picture
Delhi’s air pollution crisis is not merely an environmental concern, it is a sustained public health emergency and a governance challenge. While conventional control measures remain necessary, cleaner fuel strategies such as ethanol blending and the gradual adoption of flex-fuel vehicle technology offer a viable path forward. If supported by consistent policy, infrastructure and public uptake, these approaches could play a meaningful role in reducing vehicular emissions and improving air quality for millions living in the capital.
(With inputs from ANI)
