Rising data highlights the health risks for young commuters navigating the capital's worsening traffic pollution

The cleaner PM2.5 levels also coincided with favourable weather conditions during the month.

Delhi authorities have introduced a rule requiring green construction-site nets to be at least 100 GSM thick because thinner nets do not properly stop dust pollution.

Gupta held a review meeting and stressed that clean air and environmental protection are now central to the government’s policy framework.

Delhi has begun testing a new “smog-eating” technology that uses special coatings or materials to break down harmful pollutants in the air. Authorities want to see whether this method can help reduce pollution levels in selected areas.

We are focusing on major pollution sources through targeted actions in every area,” Sirsa said, stressing a balanced approach across transport, industry, waste management, dust control and public awareness.

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Six areas, including South Extension Part-1, Majnu Ka Tila, and Mayur Vihar Phase-3, are largely congested on weekends and market days.

Nitrogen dioxide, benzene and other pollutants breached safe limits at most Delhi stations in January, highlighting persistent air quality concerns.

Delhi’s air in January was badly polluted, with nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and benzene often above safe limits at many monitoring stations. These high levels can harm lungs and increase health risks for people breathing the city’s air.

Delhi’s air in January was badly polluted, with nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and benzene often above safe limits at many monitoring stations. These high levels can harm lungs and increase health risks for people breathing the city’s air.

Delhi’s air in January was badly polluted, with nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and benzene often above safe limits at many monitoring stations. These high levels can harm lungs and increase health risks for people breathing the city’s air.

Delhi’s air in January was badly polluted, with nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and benzene often above safe limits at many monitoring stations. These high levels can harm lungs and increase health risks for people breathing the city’s air.

In comparison, during the same period last year, benzene levels breached the WHO guidelines on 28 days but did not exceed the Indian standard on any day.

The decision triggered sharp criticism from environmental experts. They said the absence of a targeted approach for regions facing the worst pollution was a major gap.

Despite severe pollution, Delhi spent only ₹781.4 crore out of the ₹1.7 lakh crore collected till 4 December last year.

HT tracked pollution levels not only outdoors but inside spaces where vulnerable populations spend much of their day. 

The share of peripheral industries in the pollution on Sunday was logged at 7.79%, followed by neighbouring cities like Sonipat and Gautam Budh Nagar’s contribution at 4.78% and 4.68%, respectively.

As Delhi chokes year after year, experts warn that GRAP remains an emergency patchwork, failing to curb pollution at source and delaying long-term structural reforms.