Delhi and several cities across the National Capital Region (NCR) were engulfed in a dense layer of toxic smog on Thursday, with pollution levels reaching alarming heights and causing widespread disruption. The city’s air quality index (AQI) surged above 400, a figure classified as ‘severe plus’ by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). As of 11 AM, Patparganj in East Delhi recorded the worst air quality with an AQI of 470.
This hazardous air quality is severely affecting the daily lives of residents, with many reporting respiratory issues, eye irritation, and persistent coughing. Hospitals have been overwhelmed with an increasing number of patients suffering from air pollution-related health problems, particularly respiratory distress.
Health Impact: A Growing Crisis
Bhayender, a local resident, shared his concern over the deteriorating air quality, which has affected his usual routine. “We are facing difficulty breathing and constant eye irritation. Even basic outdoor activities like running have become impossible due to the pollution,” he said.
Raunak, a school student, also expressed frustration, pointing to the lack of public cooperation in tackling the issue. “I’ve been coughing constantly, and it could damage my lungs. If we can reduce pollution through better control and promote more CNG-based vehicles, we could make a significant difference,” he said.
Healthcare professionals are raising alarms over the rising health risks. Dr. Arvind Kumar, a Chest Onco Surgery and Lung Transplantation specialist at Medanta Hospital, warned that the pollution is taking a heavy toll on people’s health. “This is a recurring issue every year. The polluted air is leading to a surge in pneumonia cases and respiratory problems, especially among children and the elderly. ICUs are filling up, and even pediatricians are seeing a spike in cases of breathing difficulties,” said Dr. Kumar.
Political Blame Game
The severe pollution crisis has sparked a political blame game, with leaders from various parties pointing fingers at each other.
Virendra Sachdeva, the Delhi BJP president, criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for failing to address key issues like road dust management and waste disposal. “The Delhi government is more focused on event management than on tackling environmental issues. They have failed to control the dust on Delhi’s roads, and there’s no system to treat CNG waste. It’s a major contributor to pollution, and the Supreme Court has also raised concerns,” Sachdeva said while wearing a protective mask.
On the other hand, Congress leader Mumtaz Patel blamed the ongoing political tussle between the AAP government and the BJP-led Centre for worsening the situation. “The AAP government promised to resolve stubble burning in Punjab, but it has failed to act. When Congress was in power, Delhi had better green cover, more CNG buses, and lower pollution levels,” Patel argued, adding that she was also experiencing coughing despite trying to stay indoors.
Calls for Immediate Action
As Delhi continues to battle the toxic smog, residents and health experts alike are calling for immediate action to mitigate the environmental crisis. With air quality deteriorating year after year, many are urging the government to prioritize long-term solutions, including stricter emission controls, waste management reforms, and promoting cleaner technologies to reduce pollution levels.
In the meantime, concerned residents are taking precautions, limiting outdoor activities, and using masks to protect themselves from the hazardous air. However, experts warn that unless comprehensive measures are implemented, the capital city’s pollution problem will only continue to worsen, putting the health and well-being of millions at risk.
