A thick haze of polluted air hung over India’s capital Tuesday, with authorities trying to tackle the problem by sprinkling water to settle dust and banning some building work.
The air quality index exceeded 400, about eight times the recommended maximum, according to the state-run Central Pollution Control Board.
Favourable winds had briefly halved that measure of pollutants, but winds blowing from the northwest carried emissions from burning crops in Punjab and Haryana states to New Delhi, leading to high levels of pollution, according to the government’s air quality monitoring system Safar.
Air pollution in northern India peaks in the winter due to smoke from agricultural fires. Farmers say they are unfairly criticised and have no choice but to burn stubble to prepare their fields for the next crop.
Stringent pollution controls have been imposed, such as sprinkling water from high-rise buildings and banning some building work to settle or avoid dust, but the worsening air quality in Delhi has remained persistent.
Restrictions on private vehicles meant to reduce emissions were relaxed Monday and Tuesday for 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh religion.
The pollution crisis affecting 20 million residents is also piling public pressure on the government to tackle the root causes of the persistent haze.
Doctors in the capital say many of their patients these days are complaining of ailments that stem from the filthy air they breathe.
New Delhi’s chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has been making fervent appeals on Twitter and through newspaper advertisements, asking residents to do their bit to tackle the pollution problem.
World Health Organisation data released last year showed India had the world’s 10 most polluted cities.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here