Delhi: Delhi woke up to another suffocating morning on Saturday as air pollution levels surged dangerously, pushing the national capital deeper into a public health crisis. By early morning, the city’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) hovered close to the upper end of the “Very Poor” bracket, signalling prolonged exposure risks for residents, especially children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions.
The capital has been witnessing a steady slide in air quality over the past two days, with pollution refusing to disperse due to unfavourable weather conditions. A thick haze blanketed several neighbourhoods, reducing visibility on roads and causing eye irritation, breathlessness, and persistent coughing among commuters during peak hours.
Data from pollution monitoring stations showed that several key locations crossed into the “Severe” category, reflecting alarmingly high concentrations of harmful particulate matter. Eastern and central Delhi zones reported some of the worst conditions, while northern pockets also recorded hazardous readings. Although a few areas showed marginally lower pollution levels, they still remained firmly within the “Very Poor” range, offering little relief to citizens.
Environmental experts warn that sustained AQI levels above 300 can have long-term health consequences if corrective measures are not implemented urgently. As per standard AQI classifications, any reading beyond 400 is considered “Severe” and can impact even healthy individuals, while aggravating existing illnesses among vulnerable groups.
Responding to the worsening situation, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta reiterated the government’s commitment to tackling pollution through structural and long-term solutions. She stated that controlling dust pollution has been identified as a core focus area, as airborne dust significantly contributes to rising particulate levels across the city.
According to the Chief Minister’s Office, the government has accelerated the construction of wall-to-wall roads to curb dust generation along road edges. Substantial financial allocations have been made available to local legislators to ensure there are no delays in execution. The Chief Minister also directed that all new road projects and repairs strictly follow the wall-to-wall construction model, calling it a sustainable solution for reducing flying dust.
