Delhi smog: living a recurring dystopia.
The Choking Reality of Delhi Smog
Winter has arrived in Delhi, and with it, a familiar and suffocating sense of gloom. The city’s skies are perpetually grey, blanketed by a thick layer of Delhi smog that has become an almost defining feature of the season.
Stepping outdoors for even a few minutes is enough to feel its effects. The air tastes acrid, reminiscent of ash, and prolonged exposure leads to breathlessness. Attempting a brisk walk or a run in the Delhi smog seems almost unthinkable without suffering its immediate consequences.
Newspapers have reverted to alarming terms like toxic, deadly, and poisonous for their headlines. The crisis has forced most schools to shut down, while citizens are urged to stay indoors. Yet, for the countless workers whose livelihoods depend on outdoor labor, staying home isn’t an option. For them, Delhi smog is more than an environmental hazard; it is a cruel occupational reality.
On Monday and Tuesday, Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) ranged between an appalling 1,200 and 1,500, as reported by various monitoring agencies. To put this into perspective, the acceptable limit is less than 100. These figures highlight the alarming concentration of particulate matter—PM2.5 and PM10—in the air, which penetrates deep into the lungs, causing respiratory illnesses and other severe health complications.
A City Trapped in a Vicious Cycle
The palpable shock and disappointment are once again evident on social media, as residents express their anguish over Delhi smog. This scenario has played out year after year for the past 15 years, with little change or improvement.
Images of smoggy mornings at landmarks like Kartavya Path and India Gate paint a haunting picture. Many still venture out into the poisonous air, whether to walk, commute, or earn their daily bread. In 2017, when I recorded a video of my smog-filled drive to work, visibility had dropped to less than two meters.
Delhi smog has been a recurring story for two decades, and every twist in this grim tale has been reported extensively. From its impact on health—lowering life expectancy and exacerbating illnesses—to its devastating effects on children, the crisis leaves no demographic untouched. The poorest, however, bear the heaviest burden. Their dependence on outdoor labor makes them the most vulnerable to Delhi smog’s dangers, yet they have the least means to protect themselves.
Endless Blame and Inadequate Solutions
Each year, the political blame game resurfaces alongside the smog. Politicians point fingers at one another, offering little in terms of actionable solutions. The root causes of Delhi smog are well-documented: stubble burning in neighboring states, unchecked vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, and the burning of waste. Yet, these issues persist, exacerbated by weak enforcement of regulations and an apparent lack of political will.
Proposed solutions have ranged from marginally effective measures like the odd-even vehicle rule to outright failures like poorly implemented air purifiers.
Living With the Inevitable
The residents of Delhi are left grappling with the health impacts of this unrelenting crisis. Children grow up inhaling dangerous levels of pollutants, adults face a higher risk of chronic illnesses, and the elderly are particularly vulnerable. For all its cultural richness and historical significance, Delhi has become synonymous with pollution, a city where Delhi smog dictates the rhythm of life.
As we face yet another winter under the oppressive blanket of Delhi smog, it’s clear that addressing this crisis requires more than fleeting political promises. It demands coordinated action, technological innovation, and public cooperation. Until then, the smog will remain an annual nightmare, a harsh reminder of the cost of inaction.
Delhi smog is no longer just a seasonal problem; it’s a year-round battle for survival. For the millions who call this city home, it’s a dystopia that feels all too real.