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Delhi’s air quality has worsened significantly, with smog covering the city and raising serious concerns about health and safety. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi and surrounding areas has remained in the “severe plus” category for consecutive days, reaching alarming levels that affect visibility, disrupt transport, and pose health risks.  

The thick smog has heavily impacted railway operations, causing delays and rescheduling of trains. As of Tuesday, 22 trains were delayed, and 9 were rescheduled due to low visibility at New Delhi Railway Station. The air quality reached a hazardous AQI level of 488 on Tuesday morning, creating challenges for transportation systems and commuters.  

Health advisories issued  

The Union Health Secretary has advised states to strengthen healthcare systems to tackle the effects of pollution. Measures include raising awareness among vulnerable populations and monitoring pollution-related illnesses through hospitals. Schools and universities, including Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Delhi University, have shifted to online classes to safeguard students.  

In Gurugram, all schools up to the 5th standard were ordered closed starting November 19. Similarly, the Haryana government empowered local authorities to suspend physical classes for students up to Class 12 and implement online learning if needed.  

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Punjab has recorded its highest number of stubble-burning cases this season, contributing significantly to pollution in northern India. On Monday alone, 1,251 fires were reported, bringing the season’s total to 9,655 incidents. This sharp increase compared to previous years highlights the ongoing issue of crop residue burning, a major source of air pollution.  

Global focus at COP29  

Delhi’s air pollution was a key topic at COP29, with experts calling for immediate global action. Aarti Khosla, a climate expert, emphasized the role of multiple pollution sources, such as crop burning, black carbon, and fossil fuel emissions. She stressed the importance of tackling all contributors to improve air quality.  

Delhi’s pollution crisis continues to affect daily life, highlighting the urgent need for stronger measures to address this environmental emergency.