Tag: PM2.5

Human Interest

Delhi’s Air Quality Plunges to ‘Very Poor’ at 311 Amid Health Crisis and Political Blame Game

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By Allycaral Desk

Delhi woke up to a thick layer of smog on November 6, as the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) surged to 311, placing it in the “very poor” category. In some residential pockets, personal monitors recorded PM2.5 levels above 600 — far exceeding WHO’s safe limits.

Hospitals across the city, including AIIMS and Safdarjung, have reported a nearly 60% rise in cases of respiratory distress, asthma, bronchitis, and eye irritation. Pediatric wards and maternity units are particularly overwhelmed as children and pregnant women face the worst of the toxic air.

Health experts have warned that prolonged exposure to such pollution levels can cause irreversible lung damage and cardiovascular risks. “The air quality is equivalent to smoking multiple cigarettes a day,” said Dr. R.K. Sharma, a pulmonologist at AIIMS.

Environmentalists blame multiple factors, including stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana, vehicular emissions, and industrial pollution. Satellite data from SAFAR India shows over 1,800 active fire spots in northern states contributing to Delhi’s haze.

Amid the crisis, political parties — Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) — have accused each other of data manipulation and failure to implement pollution control measures.
While Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has called for “cooperative federal solutions,” BJP leaders have slammed the government’s “ineffective” odd-even scheme and delayed action plans.

In response, citizen groups and climate activists have announced a protest at India Gate on November 9, demanding stricter enforcement of emission norms and emergency public health interventions.

Despite air purifiers and “clean zones,” experts stress that systemic reform — not temporary measures — is the need of the hour.

“Delhi’s fight for clean air must go beyond politics. It’s about survival,” said environmental researcher Meera Menon.

As the national capital struggles to breathe, one thing is clear — the crisis is both an environmental and human emergency.

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National

Delhi’s Toxic Air is Turning Red Fort Black: Study Raises Alarm

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Severe air pollution in India’s capital, Delhi, is now leaving a visible scar on one of its most treasured monuments — the Red Fort.

A recent study, published in the open-access scientific journal Heritage, has revealed the formation of “black crusts” on the fort’s red sandstone walls. Conducted between 2021 and 2023 by researchers from India and Italy, the study examined air quality data and samples scraped from the monument.

The findings show that particulate matter — PM2.5 and PM10 — along with other pollutants, are chemically reacting with the fort’s stone surface, creating dark deposits ranging from 0.05mm to 0.5mm in thickness. Over time, these crusts are not only discoloring the walls but also damaging intricate carvings, vaults, arches, and other architectural elements.

Conservation experts fear this could mirror the fate of the Taj Mahal, which has turned yellow and greenish-brown due to pollution. In fact, the Supreme Court had earlier urged urgent steps to protect the Taj.

The Red Fort, built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century, holds immense historical significance. From being the site where India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru hoisted the national flag in 1947 to serving as the backdrop for Independence Day speeches, it is both a heritage icon and a living symbol of India’s history.

The study warns that the formation of black crusts is a progressive phenomenon — initially removable, but harder to treat as they deepen. Researchers recommend preventive conservation strategies, including the application of protective stone sealants in highly affected areas, along with urgent steps to reduce pollution.

As Delhi continues to rank among the world’s most polluted cities, this latest evidence underscores not just an environmental crisis, but also a looming cultural tragedy. Without immediate intervention, the city risks losing the vibrant red glow of its Red Fort — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the nation’s greatest treasures.