What's making Delhi's air so toxic?
What's the story
Delhi has once again been engulfed in toxic air, with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reporting a drastic spike in its Air Quality Index (AQI). The AQI soared from 130 on October 1 to a shocking 428 by November 11, before slightly improving to 327 on November 26. This puts Delhi's air quality in the "Very Poor" category.
Pollution sources
Stubble burning's role in Delhi's pollution crisis
While stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana is often blamed for Delhi's pollution, data from the Ministry of Earth Sciences' Decision Support System (DSS) reveals a more complex picture. In early October, farm fires contributed almost nothing to Delhi's pollution levels. However, by October 17, their contribution rose to 2.62%. On November 12, farm fires accounted for 22.47% of air pollution as AQI soared to a "Severe" level of 418.
Additional factors
Other contributors to Delhi's air pollution
The DSS data also reveals other major contributors to Delhi's toxic air. Cities around the capital, including Gautam Buddha Nagar, Gurugram, Karnal and Meerut contribute 29.5% to the pollution. Transport emissions account for another 19.7%. Residential emissions (4.8%), peripheral industries (3.7%) and construction dust (2.9%) further worsen the situation. Alarmingly, a whopping 34.8% of pollution comes from unidentified sources, making it difficult to control without proper attribution.