What is life like in Delhi, one of the world’s most polluted cities?

Sourabh Yadav says he has “forgotten what it’s like to have a window open” at his home in Delhi.

Originally from Chhattisgarh, a small state in central India, the 26-year-old filmmaker moved to India’s capital for university and has lived there for eight years.

“Summers are brutal in Delhi, so we try to go outside more during winters,” he told the ABC.

“But now, given India’s Air Quality Index (AQI), these little joys seem tarnished.”

Sourabh Yadav says Delhi’s residents usually venture outside for longer amounts of time during winter. (Supplied: Saurabh Yadav)

AQI is the system used to measure how polluted the air is and ranges from 0–50 for “good” to 500 for “severe”.

Since November, Delhi’s AQI has hovered between 300 and 400, more than 20 times the limit recommended by the World Health Organization.

Even the air inside Mr Yadav’s home is poor, so he bought an air purifier.

“When I turned it on for the first time, it displayed a near 300 AQI. After a few minutes, it managed to go down to around 20,” he said.

However, Mr Yadav said having an air purifier in Delhi was “a privilege” as they sell for between 10,000–20,000 Indian Rupee ($162–$340).

“That’s around the cost of monthly rent in Delhi, even for middle-class people,”

he said.

“Having to pay that kind of money just to breathe is not always in people’s capacity.”

Sourabh Yadav’s air purifier displays an AQI of 291, which he says is considered very high. (Supplied: Saurabh Yadav)

Money aside, Mr Yadav said air purifiers also had limitations.

“They only work for small spaces, which is why I keep it in my bedroom,” he said.

“But as soon as I go into my living room or kitchen, I’ll start to feel dizziness or get a headache.

“It means people will need multiple air purifiers in their home, which most cannot afford.”

‘Simple joys’ come with health risks

Home to more than 30 million people, Delhi and its surrounding region routinely rank among the world’s most polluted cities.

India has six of the 10 most polluted cities globally, and Delhi tops the chart, according to an October report from Switzerland-based air quality monitoring database IQ Air.

In November, Delhi’s AQI stood at 344, a level considered “severe” and dangerous to breathe. (AP: Manish Swarup)

Each winter, farmers burn crop residue in nearby states and cooler temperatures trap the smoke that mixes with vehicle and industrial emissions.

India’s Central Pollution Control Board reported some improvements in recent years due to favourable weather conditions and anti-pollution measures.

But some studies have found Delhi’s air pollution has been more severe than previously estimated.

The poor air quality has impacted nearly all aspects of life.

Hybrid learning has become the norm at schools and universities, offices close regularly, and people mostly stay indoors.

Mr Yadav said he has also lost other “simple joys” in life, such as enjoying a roadside chai.

He said buying a chai at a “tapris” — roadside shops that sell tea — was part of his regular routine and a big part of Indian culture.

“But now standing on a footpath with your mask off to sip tea feels a little uneasy,” he said.

Sourabh Yadav says he misses his routine of drinking tea from roadside stalls. (AP: Manish Swarup)

Now Mr Yadav buys packed tea to have at home.

“Sometimes it makes you angry,” he said.

“It makes me wonder, God, this air is the very life you breathe. How can you not care?“

Delhi’s residents are fed up.

In November, hundreds gathered at Delhi’s India Gate in a rare protest, urging authorities to act.

India’s government has taken steps to address air pollution, one being its launch of the National Clean Air Program (NCAP) in 2019.

Its aim was to cut PM2.5 pollution by 20 to 30 per cent by 2024 — from 2017 levels — which was later revised to a more ambitious 40 per cent reduction by 2026.

Citizens protest against what they say is the government’s lack of action to combat air pollution in Delhi. (AP: Manish Swarup)

However, policing Delhi’s air quality will require an “inter-sectoral response” according to Poornima Prabhakaran, an epidemiologist and public health researcher at Ashoka University.

“This is due to the multiple sources of pollution,” Dr Prabhakaran said.

“Transport is a major source, as well as industrial activity, road and construction and demolition dust.

“There must be a concerted effort to address all sources to begin to lower the hazardous levels of pollution.“

Air pollution a silent killer

Delhi’s air pollution is shortening the life expectancy of its residents by as much as 12 years, according to a recent Air Quality Life Index report by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago.

“What we generally see during poor air quality times is an increased number of patients who present to the hospital with exacerbation of their asthma or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD),” said Saurabh Mittal, an expert in diseases of the respiratory system at All India Institute of Medical Sciences.

Delhi residents use air purifiers to improve the quality of air inside their homes. (AP: Manish Swarup)

“Young patients, who were previously asymptomatic, also come with eye, nasal and throat irritation and a persistent cough.”

Dr Mittal said the pollution also had an impact on some people’s mental health.

“Patients with psychological disorders can face low mood and more fatigue in poor air quality,” he said.

And in the long term, there was a higher risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, Dr Mittal added.

“Higher degree of hypertension and accelerated memory loss are some long-term effects as well,”

he said.

When breathing comes at a financial cost

Delhi resident Ashna Sharma and her family have struggled with respiratory issues for years.

“Stepping outside is nearly impossible, and inside our home every single room now has an air purifier,” Ms Sharma said.

Ashna Sharma says she and her family have spent more on doctor visits in Delhi in the last two months. (Instagram: @ashnaaasharmaa)

The 26-year-old counselling psychologist and content creator said she was “genuinely worried” about her health, but even more for her parents.

“They are ageing, and this is not the quality of life they deserve,” she said.

Ms Sharma and her family have also racked up more bills as they cope with the air pollution.

“In just the last two months, we’ve spent more on medicines and doctor visits than anything else,” she said.

“We can’t even do something as basic as go for a walk.“

Looking back over the years, Ms Sharma said the only time she remembers breathing clean air was during the COVID lockdown “when vehicles were off the roads”.

“Between Diwali firecrackers, overpopulation, and stubble burning, Delhi has become almost unlivable,” she said.

Cutting emissions ‘at the source’

Critics say only long-term measures to cut emissions can bring real relief.

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Measures to curb pollution such as installing more pollution monitors and pushing for a switch to cleaner fuels are yet to yield significant results.

“Delhi’s air improves only when emissions are cut at the source,” said Roxy Mathew Koll, a climate scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology.

“These emissions are from industries, vehicles, waste and crop burning,” Dr Koll said.

He said cuts in emissions must also be complemented by cleaner energy, efficient transport, and coordination with neighbouring states.

But Delhi’s geography made this challenging, he said.

“Delhi sits in a basin between the Himalayas and Aravallis mountains where weak winter winds and temperature inversions trap pollutants near the surface,” he said.

“These natural limits make emission control even more urgent, not less.“

How does daily life in Delhi change because of severe air pollution?

What is Life Like in Delhi, One of the World’s Most Polluted Cities?

Delhi, a sprawling metropolis and the heart of India, presents a complex reality for its 32 million residents. While steeped in history – as evidenced by the distinct Old Delhi and the planned New Delhi, established as the capital during British rule – the city grapples with a severe air pollution crisis that profoundly impacts daily life. This article dives into the realities of living in Delhi amidst this environmental challenge, offering insights into the challenges, coping mechanisms, and ongoing efforts to improve air quality.

The Scale of the Pollution Problem

delhi consistently ranks among the most polluted cities globally. Several factors contribute to this:

* Vehicular Emissions: A massive and growing number of vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, buses, and trucks, release harmful pollutants.

* Industrial Activity: Industries within and around Delhi contribute substantially to particulate matter and gaseous emissions.

* Construction Dust: Rapid urbanization and construction projects generate substantial dust pollution.

* Crop Burning: Seasonal burning of agricultural residue in neighboring states (Haryana, punjab, and Uttar Pradesh) adds dramatically to the pollution levels, notably during the winter months. This is a major source of PM2.5.

* Geographical Factors: Delhi’s landlocked location and weather patterns – calm winds and temperature inversions – trap pollutants, exacerbating the problem.

* Waste Burning: Open burning of garbage is still prevalent in many areas, releasing toxic fumes.

Air Quality Index (AQI) readings frequently fall into the “severe” or “hazardous” categories, especially between October and February. Common pollutants include PM2.5 (fine particulate matter), PM10, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone (O3).

Daily Life Under a Haze: Impacts on Health & Routine

The pervasive pollution impacts nearly every aspect of life in Delhi:

* Respiratory Issues: A surge in respiratory illnesses like asthma, bronchitis, and lung infections is common. Hospital admissions for these conditions spike during peak pollution periods.

* Cardiovascular Problems: Air pollution is linked to increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.

* Eye and Skin Irritation: The pollutants cause irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, and can exacerbate skin conditions.

* Reduced Outdoor Activity: Many residents limit outdoor activities, especially children and the elderly, during periods of high pollution. Parks and recreational spaces are often less crowded.

* School Closures: Schools are sometimes closed when air quality reaches hazardous levels, disrupting education.

* Economic Impact: Reduced productivity due to illness and healthcare costs contribute to economic losses. Tourism can also be affected.

* Visibility Issues: Dense smog reduces visibility, impacting transportation and increasing the risk of accidents.

Coping Mechanisms: What residents Do

Delhiites have developed various strategies to cope with the pollution:

* Air Purifiers: The use of air purifiers in homes, offices, and even cars has become widespread. HEPA filters are particularly popular.

* Masks: Wearing N95 or N99 masks is common, especially when commuting or spending time outdoors during high pollution days.

* Dietary Changes: Some residents adopt diets rich in antioxidants and vitamins believed to help combat the effects of pollution.

* Home workouts: Many prefer indoor exercise to avoid exposure to polluted air.

* Staying Indoors: Limiting outdoor exposure during peak pollution hours is a common practice.

* Monitoring Air Quality: Residents regularly check air quality data through apps like SAFAR-India and websites to plan their activities.

Government Initiatives & Long-Term Solutions

The government has implemented several measures to address the pollution crisis:

* Odd-Even Rule: A vehicle rationing scheme where cars with odd and even registration numbers are allowed on the roads on alternate days.(effectiveness debated).

* BS-VI Emission standards: Implementation of stricter emission standards for vehicles (Bharat Stage VI).

* promotion of Public Transportation: Expansion of the Delhi Metro and bus network.

* Ban on Older Vehicles: Phasing out older, more polluting vehicles.

* Construction Regulations: Strict regulations to control dust pollution from construction sites.

* Anti-Crop Burning Measures: Efforts to provide farmers with alternatives to crop burning,such as subsidies for agricultural machinery.

* Green Cover Increase: planting trees and increasing green spaces to absorb pollutants.

* industrial Regulations: Stricter emission controls for industries.

* Real-time Pollution monitoring: Expanding the network of air quality monitoring stations.

Case Study: The Impact of the 2016 Air Quality Crisis

In November 2016, Delhi experienced an unprecedented air quality crisis, with pollution levels soaring to over 30 times the World Health association’s safe limit. This led to a public health emergency,school closures,and widespread panic. The crisis prompted increased public awareness and spurred the government to take more aggressive action, including the implementation of the odd-even rule and stricter construction regulations. While the situation has not been fully resolved, the 2016 crisis served as a wake-up call and accelerated efforts to address the pollution problem.

Benefits of Improved Air Quality (and What’s at Stake)

Improving Delhi’s air quality would yield important benefits:

* Improved Public Health: Reduced incidence of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

* Increased Life Expectancy: Studies suggest that reducing air pollution could