Lethal smog has returned to New Delhi, the world’s most polluted capital, sparking protests from residents fed up with the government’s inability to curb the crisis. The hazardous air quality is posing severe health risks to the city’s 34 million inhabitants, leading to public outcry and demands for immediate action.
The air in New Delhi has become darker and heavier, with smog so thick it scratches throats and tests lungs, making breathing a daily struggle. This pollution has been a persistent issue for decades, but recent levels have escalated, turning the city’s iconic Red Fort black from the accumulation of pollutants. Residents, including women and children, have taken to the streets in rare protests, carrying signs that read “I miss breathing” and demanding concrete measures from authorities. The protests reflect growing frustration over the lack of political will to address the root causes of the smog.
At a protest near India Gate earlier this month, dozens of people gathered, wearing face masks and even bringing nebulizers to highlight the health emergency. Sofie, a 33-year-old protester, expressed her desperation, saying, “I just want to be able to breathe again,” and criticized the government’s inaction. Similar demonstrations have occurred multiple times in November, with participants detained by police for protesting without permission, though they were later released on the outskirts of the city. These events underscore the urgency felt by citizens as air quality deteriorates.
The Delhi government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has attempted various measures, including an expensive cloud seeding experiment last month. Small aircraft fired flares into clouds to induce rain, but the efforts failed due to insufficient moisture in the atmosphere. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa defended the actions, citing anti-smog guns and dust mitigation, but admitted that “10 years of damage cannot be undone in 7 months,” shifting blame to previous administrations. Experts warn that such temporary fixes do not address the sources of pollution.
Health impacts are severe, particularly for vulnerable groups like children. Dr. Vandana Prasad, a pediatrician at the protests, emphasized that masks aren’t recommended for kids under 12, and the pollution is effectively “killing our kids.” She described treating three-year-olds with chronic coughs that never subside, linking this to the toxic air. Reports estimate that India accounts for nearly 30% of air pollution-related deaths worldwide, with life expectancies reduced by 5 to 10 years in affected areas, highlighting the dire consequences of inaction.
The environmental damage extends to historical landmarks, with the Red Fort showing “black crusts” from amorphous carbon and heavy metals. A study published this year noted the degradation, urging conservation policies. Raman, a worker at the fort for four years, recalled it being much redder decades ago, now resembling a “rotten apple” due to pollution. This visible decay symbolizes the broader crisis, as pollution not only harms health but also erodes cultural heritage.
Legally, a petition was filed in India’s top court this month seeking to declare air pollution a “National Public Health Emergency” and supervise a new anti-pollution strategy. The petition, filed on behalf of wellness expert Luke Coutinho, accuses the government of failing to target industrial pollution sources and spending too little on curbing vehicular emissions. It criticizes temporary measures as symbolic rather than effective, calling for comprehensive reforms to tackle emissions at their root.
As air quality recently worsened to “severe” levels, the government implemented its Graded Response Action Plan, pausing non-essential construction, banning polluting vehicles, and shifting schools to hybrid mode. However, protesters say their requests to meet the chief minister have been denied, fueling continued demonstrations. Dr. Prasad stated, “We’re here protesting because it’s our responsibility to speak up,” expressing hope that the government will listen and enact lasting solutions to clean the air and protect public health.
