New Delhi:Delhi’s annual winter smog has once again turned the capital into a hazy gas chamber, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) climbing to dangerous levels through October and November. According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, Delhi’s 24-hour average AQI rose sharply from 130 on October 1 to a staggering 428 on November 11, before easing slightly to 327 on November 26—still in the ‘Very Poor’ category.
Farm Fires: A Seasonal Spike, But Only Part Of The Problem
Stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana is often blamed as the primary reason behind Delhi’s air crisis. But fresh numbers from the Decision Support System (DSS) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences show a more layered story.
- Early October: Farm fires contributed almost nothing to Delhi’s pollution.
- October 17: Their share climbed to 2.62%, corresponding with AQI crossing 250.
- November 12: Contribution peaked at 22.47% while AQI touched 418 (Severe).
- November 18–20: Share reduced to 5.4%–2.8%, but the AQI remained above 325.
Conclusion:
Farm fires are a major contributor during peak smog days, but Delhi’s pollution remains dangerously high even when farm fire share drops—showing the crisis has multiple parallel sources.
So Who Else Is Polluting Delhi?
DSS data highlights several significant contributors besides stubble burning:
- Neighbouring cities (Gautam Buddha Nagar, Gurgaon, Karnal, Meerut, etc.): 29.5%
- Transport: 19.7%
- Residential emissions: 4.8%
- Peripheral industries: 3.7%
- Construction dust: 2.9%
- Unknown sources: 34.8%
The 34.8% unidentified pollution share is particularly alarming—experts say pollution cannot be controlled unless its sources are accurately traced.
Delhi’s AQI Snapshot on November 26
Even at 4 PM on November 26, no part of Delhi was truly safe:
- Rohini: 368
- Jahangirpuri: 365
- Wazirpur: 369
- Dilshad Garden: 259
- Mandir Marg: 231
All numbers remain far above the safe AQI level of 0–50.
The Bigger Picture
Delhi’s toxic air isn’t the product of a single factor. It’s a complex mix of:
- regional pollution from neighbouring states,
- vehicle emissions,
- industrial activity,
- household sources,
- construction dust,
- and a massive portion of “unknown” pollutants.
Experts warn that without coordinated action across states and sectors, Delhi’s winter pollution crisis will continue to repeat itself year after year.