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Delhi Gasps for Air: AQI Breaches 500, City in 'Severe' Pollution Crisis

This special report examines Delhi's recurring winter air pollution crisis, as the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) surged into the 'severe' category in early November 2025. A key finding from a 2024 Centre for Science and Environment analysis reveals the primary cause: 'If only the local sources of Delhi are considered... then the average transport sector contribution to PM2.5 is more than half of the pollution (51.5 per cent) from only the local sources'. The report delves into the other major contributors, including residential emissions, industry, and construction, which collectively turn the capital's air toxic. With health impacts mounting, as highlighted by a 2024 Lancet study linking pollution to around 12,000 premature deaths in Delhi annually, the segment questions why emergency measures have failed to deliver a long-term solution.

The world must unite around a climate plan

Sunita Narain, environmentalist and author, director general of the Centre for Science and environment and editor of Down To Earth; As the world prepares to gather in Belém, Brazil, for COP30, we appeal to all heads of state and government representatives attending: let this be the moment when the world finally unites around a plan to transition away from fossil fuels within the next two decades. The responsible approach, the only moral and economic choice, is to start that transition immediately. COP30 must be the place where the world’s nations agree on concrete, collective steps to phase out the burning of coal, oil, and gas and build the clean energy future that is already within reach. The science is unambiguous, and the consequences are visible everywhere: devastating floods, heatwaves, fires and droughts are erasing decades of progress in development and social justice. The planetary emergency is not a distant threat — it is a direct attack on the world’s hard-won goals of eradicating poverty, ending hunger, protecting the environment and ensuring peace and stability. Every tonne of carbon emitted deepens inequality and undermines the foundations of human progress. No nation, no matter how wealthy or isolated, is immune. Development and fossil fuels were once intertwined, but today that link is broken. Continuing to rely on fossil fuels no longer brings prosperity — it brings destruction. It erodes food security, drives migration, increases health costs and inflames conflicts. Around the world, communities that have contributed least to the problem are suffering the most from its effects. That is neither just nor sustainable. The only way to secure a stable and peaceful century is to phase out the burning of fossil fuels and replace them with clean, renewable and equitable sources of energy. We also recognise the real challenges of getting there, particularly in developing nations where energy demand continues to rise and fossil fuels still underpin many economies. Leaders of nations across Latin America, Asia and Africa face intense pressures over oil expansion. This makes global solidarity and strong support essential for a just and achievable transition. This transition is not a burden — it is an opportunity of historic proportions. The cost of renewable energy has plummeted over the past decade. Solar and wind power are now the cheapest sources of new electricity in most countries. Clean technologies like electric mobility, energy storage, green hydrogen and smart grids are advancing faster than anyone predicted. Across Africa, Asia, Latin America and beyond, distributed solar systems and mini-grids are bringing electricity to people who never had it before — quickly, affordably and without pollution. In cities and rural areas alike, these technologies are creating jobs, improving health, and giving communities control over their own energy futures. Business leaders already understand this. Investments in renewable energy, green infrastructure and sustainable industries are not just ethical choices; they are the most rational economic ones. Clean energy industries are creating millions of new jobs, stimulating innovation and strengthening energy independence. Renewables are also inherently more secure for nations that currently rely on imported fossil fuels, reducing vulnerability to price shocks and geopolitical disruption. By contrast, fossil fuels expose countries to volatile prices, geopolitical instability, and stranded assets. The clean transition is, in every sense, the pathway to economic resilience and prosperity. Addressing these challenges demands a major lift in climate and transition finance. Without it, the world’s most vulnerable nations cannot move at the speed required. We also recognize that this transition must be fair and inclusive. Workers, communities and developing nations that currently depend on fossil fuel economies deserve support and partnership to diversify and thrive. This requires international cooperation, not competition — coordination, not isolation. The task before us is vast, but the cost of inaction is immeasurably greater. This is why COP30 is so crucial. Three decades after the Rio Earth Summit first placed sustainable development at the center of global diplomacy, and 10 years after the Paris Agreement on climate change, the world returns to Brazil facing an existential challenge. Belém offers a symbolic and practical opportunity to realign global ambition with planetary reality. Leaders must arrive ready to go beyond words and targets. They must commit to a clear, coordinated plan to phase out fossil fuels within the next 20 years, with measurable milestones and accountability. The tools are in our hands. The economics are on our side. The moral case is undeniable. What is needed now is courage and unity. The world has shown before that when faced with a global challenge, we can act together — to end wars, cure diseases, and rebuild after crises. This is one of those moments. As you and representatives from your governments gather in Brazil, you have a chance to show future generations that you rose to meet the defining test of our time. The path away from fossil fuels is not one of sacrifice, but of renewal — of cleaner air, healthier people, more secure societies, and flourishing economies. With respect and admiration, The Planetary Guardians and co-signers: Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, chair of the Planetary Guardians, chair of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, president of AFPAT; Paul Polman, co-Vice chair of the Planetary Guardians, Business leader, co-founder of Imagine, co-author of Net Positive; Former president Juan Manuel Santos, co-vice chair of the Planetary Guardians, former president of Colombia, Nobel Peace Laureate, chair of The Elders; Ayisha Siddiqa, Climate and human-rights advocate, JD Candidate, UCLA Law, founder and executive director of Future Generations Tribunal; Dr Carlos Nobre, Earth System Scientist, advocate for the Amazon Rainforest, co-chair of the Science Panel for the Amazon; Christiana Figueres, Costa Rican diplomat, architect of the Paris Agreement, co-founder of Global Optimism and chair of the Earthshot Prize Board of Trustees; David Suzuki, Canadian scientist, broadcaster and author, co-founder of the David Suzuki Foundation; Farwiza Farhan, Indonesian conservation leader, founder of HAkA protecting the Leuser Ecosystem, 2024 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee; Hiro Mizuno, sustainable finance leader, former CIO of Japan’s GPIF, special advisor to MSCI CEO, former UN Special Envoy on Innovative Finance; Dr Mamphela Ramphele, South African medical doctor and activist, co-founder of ReimagineSA, former co-president of the Club of Rome [2018–2023] ; Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, former chair of The Elders (2018–2024) and current Elder; Naoko Ishii, sustainability leader and economist, director of the Center for Global Commons and special presidential envoy for Global Commons, University of Tokyo; former CEO/chair of the Global Environment Facility; Dr Omar Yaghi, 2025 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, the James and Neeltje Tretter Professor of Chemistry at UC Berkeley and a Senior Faculty Scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory; Dr. Ralph Chami, financial economist, co-founder of Blue Green Future and Rebalance Earth, pioneer of “Science-Based Finance”; Sunita Narain, environmentalist and author, director general of the Centre for Science and environment and editor of Down To Earth; Dr. Sylvia Earle, oceanographer, explorer, author, National Geographic Explorer at large, president and chair of Mission Blue; Wade Davis, cultural anthropologist and author, professor of Anthropology and BC Leadership Chair at the University of British Columbia; Xiye Bastida, indigenous climate activist, co-founder and executive director of Re-Earth Initiative; Bertrand Piccard, Solar Impulse, Ocean Elder Ester Baiget, president & CEO, Novonesis; Lord Fakafanua, Speaker of the House, Kingdom of Tonga Graeme Kelleher, Ocean Elder, former chairman and CEO, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority; Graça Machel: women’s and children’s rights advocate; former freedom fighter and first education minister of Mozambique, co-founder and deputy chair of The Elders. Gro Harlem Brundtland: first woman prime minister of Norway; former director-general of the World Health Organization, founding member of The Elders; Jean-Michel Cousteau, Ocean Elder, Ocean Futures Society President and CEO Jesper Brodin, CEO Ingka Group | IKEA and chair of B Team; Dr Johan Rockström, director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research Lavinia Currier, Ocean Elder and filmmaker; Dr Mo Ibrahim, Ocean Elder and founder & chair, Mo Ibrahim Foundation; Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan, Ocean Elder; Dr Rita Colwell, Ocean Elder and distinguished University professor; Sven Lindblad, Ocean Elder and founder of Lindblad Expeditions Tommy Remengesau, Jr, Ocean Elder, former president of Palau Photograph by Cesar Manso/AFP via Getty Images

Black Lungs And Broken Promises: The High Cost Of Breathing In Delhi

“The Indo-Gangetic plain is hugely disadvantaged due to its geography and insufficient natural ventilation, especially during the winter... So a regional approach is absolutely critical. The solutions (from promoting cleaner cooking fuels and waste disposal to electric vehicles and reducing industrial emissions) have to be implemented not just for Delhi but across the region with equal intensity, scale and speed," said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director at the Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment.

Capital gasps for breath: Delhi’s air turns poisonous as AQI breaches 700 mark

The Indian capital woke up to an apocalyptic scene on Friday as the Air Quality Index (AQI) breached the 700 mark in several areas, turning the air unbreathable and the skyline an eerie grey. The thick smog that enveloped the city was not just a visual reminder of environmental neglect but a tangible public-health emergency. By mid-morning, official data from multiple monitoring stations across Delhi showed AQI readings hovering between 680 and 750, far above the “severe” threshold of 400. In localities such as Bawana, Anand Vihar, and Jahangirpuri, readings topped 770 — levels at which even healthy individuals are at risk of respiratory distress. Experts say the spike was inevitable. “The meteorological conditions have turned unfavourable — calm winds, temperature inversion and moisture have trapped pollutants close to the surface,” said Dr Gufran Beig, founder-project director of the SAFAR-India air-quality forecasting system. “When you add stubble-burning smoke from Punjab and Haryana to Delhi’s local emissions, it becomes a toxic soup.” Causes Behind the Crisis The timing of the smog episode coincides with the peak stubble-burning period in north India. Satellite imagery from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute detected over 2,900 farm-fire incidents in Punjab alone on Thursday, a jump of 45 % compared to the previous day. Winds from the north-west carried this smoke toward the capital region, where it mixed with vehicular exhaust, road dust and industrial emissions. Adding to this mix is the lingering residue of Diwali firecrackers, despite official bans. Night-time celebrations last week pumped additional particulate matter (PM 2.5 and PM 10) into an already saturated atmosphere. Construction dust and unpaved roads have also worsened the load. According to the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), over 30 % of PM 2.5 in the city originates from dust sources — a figure that rises sharply during dry, windy spells. But this week, ironically, the wind has gone still, locking everything in place. Health Fallout Hospitals across Delhi and the NCR are witnessing a worrying uptick in patients complaining of breathlessness, coughing and throat irritation. “We have seen a 30 % rise in emergency visits for respiratory distress in just two days,” said Dr Randeep Guleria, pulmonologist and former AIIMS director. “Even people without chronic illness are experiencing symptoms like fatigue and burning eyes.” The World Health Organization classifies PM 2.5 concentrations above 60 µg/m³ as unsafe; Delhi’s current readings exceed 500 µg/m³ in some pockets. Long-term exposure at such levels can aggravate asthma, heart disease and even lead to premature deaths. Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable, as are outdoor workers such as rickshaw-pullers, construction labourers and street vendors. Schools have already begun responding. The Delhi government ordered closure of all primary classes and switched senior grades to online mode for the next several days. Masks are being distributed in government schools, and advisories urge parents to keep children indoors. Government Response Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal convened an emergency review meeting with the environment and transport departments. Among the measures reactivated are the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage IV, which mandates the closure of stone-crushers, hot-mix plants, and non-essential construction activities. Vehicular restrictions are also on the table. The government is considering re-introducing the odd-even traffic scheme, under which cars with odd and even number plates operate on alternate days. While controversial and difficult to enforce, officials argue it reduces traffic emissions by up to 15 %. At the same time, water-sprinkler trucks and anti-smog guns have been deployed along arterial roads, and mechanized sweepers are working overtime. However, experts caution that these surface-level measures cannot solve the structural causes of air pollution. “The problem is regional,” said Sunita Narain, director-general of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). “Until Punjab and Haryana provide viable alternatives to crop burning and Delhi cuts dependence on fossil-fuel-based transport, the crisis will recur each winter.” Public Outrage and Daily Hardships Residents have taken to social media to share images of Delhi’s now-invisible landmarks — India Gate and Qutub Minar obscured by smog, airplanes vanishing into a thick haze at IGI Airport. Morning joggers are absent from parks; those who must venture out wear N95 masks. Food-delivery workers and two-wheeler riders complain of burning eyes and headaches after prolonged exposure. Taxi driver Mohammed Rafiq, who works near Connaught Place, said: “Every breath feels heavy. Even when the windows are closed, the car smells like smoke.” Air purifiers have sold out in several electronic stores. Online marketplaces reported a 200 % surge in demand for masks and filters within 48 hours. Environmental Alarm Bells Meteorologists predict that without a change in wind direction or rainfall, pollution levels will remain “severe to hazardous” for at least the next 72 hours. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) does not expect strong north-westerly winds until early next week. Environmental activists are once again calling for long-term policy reforms: electrification of transport, regional crop-management programs, and stricter enforcement against industrial polluters. “Short-term bans and emergency steps are like band-aids on a chronic wound,” said Anumita Roychowdhury, a senior policy analyst. “We need year-round air-quality management, not just crisis control.” A Capital Under Siege As Delhiites navigate through a cloud of dust and smoke, the psychological toll is also mounting. Schools, offices, and even daily routines are disrupted. Visibility on major expressways like the Yamuna Expressway and NH-48 has dropped to less than 200 metres at dawn. The city — home to over 20 million people — has once again earned the grim title of the world’s most polluted major metropolis, according to IQAir’s live ranking. For now, Delhi remains trapped in a haze of its own making, waiting for the winds of change — literally — to blow the poison away.

दिल्ली में AQI के आंकड़े लगातार सवालों के घेरे में, शामिल नहीं किए जाते सभी 39 मॉनिटरिंग स्टेशनों के डेटा

एक्यूआइ का डेटा किसी अन्य एप का नहीं बल्कि सीपीसीबी का ही विश्वसनीय रहा है, लेकिन पूर्व वर्षों में। वर्तमान में यह स्थिति नहीं है। ऐसा इसलिए क्योंकि इन पर गंभीरता से न ध्यान दिया जा रहा है, न ही निगरानी की जा रही है। - सुनीता नारायण, महानिदेशक, सीएसई नवंबर महीना शुरू होते ही दिल्ली की हवा जहरीली हो जाती है और शुरू हो जाता है सांसों का संघर्ष। सरकार और सरकारी एजेंसियां वायु प्रदूषण की रोकथाम के लिए अल्पकालिक उपायों की नौटंकी में लग जाती हैं तो जहां कहीं संभव हो, आम जन को गुमराह करने से भी परहेज नहीं किया जाता। मसलन, उनके सामने प्रदूषण की सही तस्वीर न आने देना। इसी कड़ी में इस वर्ष वायु गुणवत्ता सूचकांक (एक्यूआइ) के आंकड़े इस साल लगातार सवालों के घेरे में हैं। दीवाली की रात छह घंटे तक विभिन्न वायु गुणवत्ता निगरानी स्टेशनों के आंकड़े गायब रहने से जो संदेह का माहौल बना, वह उसके बाद भी बार- बार एक्यूआइ डेटा में अप्रत्याशित उतार चढाव से बना हुआ है। ऐसा लगता है कि इस बार ग्रेप का तीसरा और चौथा चरण न लगने देने की मंशा से भी ऐसा किया जा रहा है। केंद्रीय प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्ड (सीपीसीबी) के पूर्व अधिकारी व पर्यावरणविद भी डेटा में छेडछाड़ से इन्कार नहीं कर रहे। एक्यूआइ डेटा से छेड़छाड़ को समझने के लिए दो नवंबर का उदाहरण लिया जा सकता है। इस दिन दिल्ली का 24 घंटे का औसत एक्यूआइ 366 था। अगले दिन यह अचानक 309 रह गया। लेकिन ये राहत की खबर नहीं है।

गर्मी से निपटने के लिए दीर्घकालिक उपायों की जरूरत

–किरण पांडे- Climate-Change : अमेरिका स्थित शोध समूह क्लाइमेट सेंट्रल के एक नये अध्ययन ने चेतावनी दी है कि 2015 के पेरिस जलवायु समझौते के तहत किये गये वादे भी वैश्विक तापमान वृद्धि के खतरनाक स्तर को रोकने के लिए पर्याप्त नहीं हैं. अध्ययन से पता चलता है कि यदि मौजूदा रुझान जारी रहता है, तो इस शताब्दी के अंत तक दुनिया 2.6 डिग्री सेल्सियस तक गर्म हो सकती है तथा उसे हर वर्ष 57 अतिरिक्त दिन भीषण गर्मी का सामना करना पड़ सकता है. वर्ष 2015 से अब तक पृथ्वी लगभग 0.3 डिग्री गर्म हो चुकी है, यानी एक दशक पूर्व की तुलना में हर वर्ष 11 अतिरिक्त गर्म दिन जुड़े हैं. भारत जैसे उष्णकटिबंधीय देश के लिए भी खतरा दूर नहीं है. आज औसत भारतीय को प्रतिवर्ष लगभग 48 दिनों तक अत्यधिक गर्मी झेलनी पड़ रही है. तापमान में 2.6 डिग्री की वृद्धि के साथ यहां अत्यधिक गर्मी के दिनों की संख्या बढ़कर 71 तक होने की आशंका है. मजबूत वैश्विक कार्रवाई के बिना, भारत को प्रतिवर्ष लगभग 101 दिन भीषण गर्मी का सामना करना पड़ सकता है. देश के 30 से अधिक राज्य और केंद्र शासित प्रदेश पहले से ही हर वर्ष 45 से 90 दिनों तक भीषण गर्मी झेल रहे हैं, जिससे स्वास्थ्य, खेती और आजीविका पर संकट मंडरा रहा है. क्लाइमेट सेंट्रल के अध्ययन की मानें, तो इस सदी के अंत तक अधिकांश राज्यों को 20 से 30 अतिरिक्त गर्म दिनों का सामना करना पड़ सकता है, तथा 21 राज्यों में यह वृद्धि राष्ट्रीय औसत से अधिक हो सकती है. तापमान बढ़ने से भारत के तटीय और द्वीपीय क्षेत्र सर्वाधिक तेजी से गर्म हो रहे हैं. अंडमान और निकोबार द्वीप समूह में तापमान में 2.6 डिग्री की वृद्धि के साथ अत्यधिक गर्म दिनों की संख्या आज के 106 से बढ़कर 230 हो सकती है, और यदि दुनिया चार डिग्री तक तक गर्म हो जाती है, तो यह संख्या बढ़कर 327 हो सकती है. गोवा में भी अत्यधिक गर्म दिनों की संख्या 47 से बढ़कर 117 हो सकती है और तापमान में चार डिग्री की वृद्धि से यह 204 पर पहुंच सकती है. केरल और पुद्दुचेरी में भी समुद्र के गर्म होने और बढ़ती आर्द्रता से मछली पकड़ने, पर्यटन और जन स्वास्थ्य पर बुरा असर पड़ने की आशंका है. गंगा के मैदानी क्षेत्रों- दिल्ली, उत्तर प्रदेश, बिहार, हरियाणा और पंजाब- में भी भीषण गर्मी के दिनों की संख्या में 70 से 90 प्रतिशत तक की बढ़ोतरी हो सकती है, जिससे फसलों की पैदावार और पानी की उपलब्धता में भारी कमी आयेगी और खुले में काम करने वाले लाखों मजदूरों के काम के घंटे सीमित हो जायेंगे. हिमाचल प्रदेश, उत्तराखंड और पूर्वोत्तर जैसे पहाड़ी राज्य भी इससे अछूते नहीं रहेंगे. इस शताब्दी के अंत तक इन क्षेत्रों को भी 100 से 170 दिन तक भीषण गर्मी झेलनी पड़ सकती है. हमें समझना होगा कि अत्यधिक गर्मी अब केवल पर्यावरणीय समस्या नहीं रह गयी है, यह जन स्वास्थ्य और आर्थिक आपातकाल में तब्दील हो गयी है. हाल ही में जारी राष्ट्रीय अपराध रिकॉर्ड ब्यूरो के आधिकारिक आंकड़े बताते हैं कि गर्मी और लू से जुड़ी मौतें, जो 2021 में 374 थीं, वे बढ़कर 2023 में 804 पर पहुंच गयीं. हीट वॉच के आंकड़े बताते हैं कि अकेले 2024 में ही अत्यधिक गर्मी से कम से कम 733 लोगों की मौत हुई. दिन में तो चढ़ता पारा लोगों को संकट में डालता ही है, सूर्यास्त के बाद भी इसका कहर शांत नहीं होता. भारतीय मौसम विज्ञान विभाग (आइएमडी) के आंकड़ों के विश्लेषण से पता चलता है कि मार्च से जून 2024 के बीच कम से कम 17 राज्यों और केंद्र शासित प्रदेशों की रातें भी असामान्य रूप से गर्म दर्ज की गयीं. बढ़ती गर्मी भारत की आर्थिक उत्पादकता को भी कम कर रही है. लैंसेट पत्रिका के नवीनतम अनुमानों की मानें, तो गर्मी के कारण देश को 2024 में रिकॉर्ड 247 अरब संभावित श्रम घंटे का नुकसान हुआ है. ग्लोबल चेंज बायोलॉजी के एक अध्ययन ने आशंका जतायी है कि 2100 तक हीट स्ट्रेस के कारण भारत जैसे देशों की श्रम उत्पादकता 40 प्रतिशत तक गिर सकती है. वैज्ञानिकों ने चेताया है कि यदि वैश्विक तापमान में दो डिग्री की वृद्धि होती है, तो लू की बारंबारता 30 गुना बढ़ सकती है. ऐसे में न केवल उत्पादकता में और कमी आयेगी, बल्कि आय भी घटेगी तथा आर्थिक संकट भी बढ़ेगा. बढ़ता तापमान स्वास्थ्य और श्रम के साथ-साथ भारत की प्राकृतिक प्रणालियों को भी अस्थिर कर रहा है- विशेष रूप से इसके जल संसाधन को. अत्यधिक गर्मी नदियों, झीलों और जलभृतों को सुखा रही है. भारत की लगभग तीन-चौथाई जनसंख्या उच्च ताप जोखिम वाले क्षेत्रों में रह रही है, इसलिए तत्काल कार्रवाई अब वैकल्पिक नहीं रह गयी है. ताप प्रबंधन के लिए भारत को अब अल्पकालिक राहत से दीर्घकालिक लचीलेपन की ओर बढ़ना होगा. इसका अर्थ है कि भूगोल और व्यवसाय के आधार पर जोखिमों का मानचित्रण करना, तापमान से निपटने की तैयारी को आवास, श्रम अधिकारों और सामाजिक सुरक्षा से जोड़ना और सामुदायिक भागीदारी को सुनिश्चित करना होगा. शहरों को बेहतर चेतावनी प्रणालियों, ठंडे आश्रय स्थलों और वृक्षों से घिरे सार्वजनिक स्थानों की जरूरत है. राष्ट्रीय स्तर पर देश को पूर्व चेतावनी प्रणालियों, जलवायु अनुकूल खेती, जल संरक्षण व स्वास्थ्य सेवा को मजबूत करना होगा. (ये लेखिका के निजी विचार हैं.)

India’s most polluted!Dharuhera choking on diesel, dust, and neglect; how it’s all gone wrong for thisNCRtown

DHARUHERA (REWARI): Trucks crawl, diesel autos cough up smoke, the constant roll of heavy tyres on crumbling tar creates a permanent overhang of dust, and garbage deposits line the main road. Dharuhera is a picture of everything that could have gone wrong. The 11 sqkm town just 40km from IFFCO Chowk and 60km from Delhi's IGI Airport was India's most polluted place through the month of Oct, with the highest average concentration of fine pollutants (PM2.5). To a visitor, it's immediately evident why. To its residents, it's become a way of life. The stench, the smoke, the dust, the jams have become daily obstacles to negotiate as they go about their lives quietly, sometimes with burning eyes, sometimes with sore throats, sometimes with a cold that won't go away for weeks. This is home, what else can they do? Unlike people living in Delhi and Gurgaon, smog vacations are a luxury people in this border town in Rewari district can't afford. They must stay and grind it out. Dharuhera isn't choking because of a single source. It's a combination of heavy traffic, factories from the adjoining industrial area that forms a contiguous spread with Rajasthan's Bhiwadi, construction work, bursting-at-the-seams warehouses that trucks roll in and out of, diesel gensets that run everything here because of frequent power cuts, and noxious smoke from garbage dumps that people set on fire because no one clears it. Ram Saini, a shopkeeper near Sector 6 said, "We live here. We breathe this air. Over the years, air pollution has increased and we feel it every year." The highway splits Dharuhera into two halves – factories on one side, homes and shops on the other. The industrial side is cleaner, but emissions are scattered across town by the breeze. "Dharuhera does not have proper parking facilities, so vehicles are mostly parked along roadsides. People walking on roads are catching fumes from trucks and buses all the time because they move slowly through the town. Roads are always congested, " said Amit, a resident of Sector 5. The auto fleet is almost entirely made of diesel, which is banned in Delhi-NCR. "These threewheelers run not just on diesel but diesel-mixed kerosene and are the most used mode of transportation in town. Fumes emitted by these vehicles are bad for people's health, " said Lalit Singh, a resident of Bypass Road. The Dharuhera-Bhiwadi belt is where many red industries from Delhi-NCR were shifted out. And while the towns are paying the price for it, the complete absence of basic pollution-control measures is surprising, given the intense scrutiny of the NCR air shed by Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal, and a central authority, CAQM, dedicated to managing anti-pollution measures scientifically. Sitting in the peripheries of NCR, Dharuhera appears to have simply been forgotten. "Dharuhera is home to many industries, mostly small and medium-scale factories dealing in hardware and chemicals. It is also a major travel intersection since it is connected with Delhi-Jaipur highway and Alwar road. It is also affected by similar adverse environmental factors in winter months as other NCR cities, like low wind speed and falling temperature that trap pollutants close to the ground, " said Shubhansh Tiwari, research associate at Centre for Science and Environment. "We don't need data to tell us the air is bad, " said Ajay Singh, who runs a ration shop near the highway. "We are breathing proof of it every day. Smog is visible in the morning and evening every day now." Researchers warn that towns like Dharuhera are slipping under the radar because policy conversations stay Delhi-centric. "Places like Dharuhera are the missing piece in North India's pollution conversation, " said Manoj Kumar, analyst at Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), which analysed data for Oct to find India's 10 most polluted cities through the month were all in Delhi-NCR, Dharuhera on top, followed by Rohtak. "Everyone focuses on Delhi, but towns along freight and industrial corridors are choking without basic enforcement. Unless govt ensures clean transport, and enforces emission norms, places like Dharuhera will keep paying the price in lung disease and livelihoods, " he added. Officials in the state pollution control board had little to say about the ground situation or their strategy to combat it. They cast aspersions on the data instead, saying the pollution problem of the town might have been "overstated". An official argued the town's only air quality monitor sits barely 300 metres from Bhiwadi, picking up emissions drifting in from the Rajasthan town, which is one of India's most industrially dense zones. "We have been issuing challans for waste burning. We will take action on diesel autos. As it is close to the Jaipur highway, dust is a huge contributor to air pollution. Bhiwadi has more than 6,500 industrial units. We are planning to shift our station as it is not giving the correct picture. Dharuhera is not so much polluted as its neighbour, which is the problem, " said Nipun Gupta, regional officer for the pollution control board in Dharuhera

Green goals versus growth needs: India's climate scorecard

NDIA is the world's most populous country, the third-biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, and remains deeply dependent on polluting coal to meet soaring energy demand. It is also a climate diplomacy heavyweight, representing developing economies. Ahead of the COP30 climate talks in Brazil this month, here is a look at India's commitments: Emissions India emitted 4.4 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent – a measure of all planet-warming greenhouse gases – in 2024, according to UN figures, behind only China and the United States. But with a population of 1.4 billion people, its per capita emissions and historical contributions to global warming are much smaller. India is committed to reaching net-zero emissions by 2070, and is on track to meet and exceed a pledge to reduce emission intensity 45 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030. Electricity India's emissions are dominated by coal, which generates around 75 per cent of the country's electricity. This year, non-fossil fuels hit half of India's installed energy capacity, a target reached five years earlier than planned. But that capacity has not translated into generation, and India's remains the world's second largest coal consumer. Its electricity needs are expected to more than double by 2047, according to the country's Centre for Science and Environment. And so far it remains off-track on an ambitious domestic goal to reach 43 per cent renewable energy generation by 2030. Just 2.5 per cent of cars sold in the country last year were electric, according to S&P Global. Future goals Like all parties to the Paris Agreement, which set a goal of limiting long-term global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, India must soon present a roadmap for its climate commitments, with goals to reach by 2035. Aman Srivastava, climate policy fellow at Sustainable Futures Collaborative, said those targets would likely be cautious, allowing India to meet and possibly exceed them.

टूटी सड़कें, कचरा जलाना, औद्योगिक धुआं... भारत के सबसे प्रदूषित इलाके में सब कुछ कैसे बिगड़ गया

नई दिल्लीः ट्रक रेंगते हैं, डीजल गाड़ियां धुआं उगलती हैं, उखड़ते तारकोल पर भारी टायरों के लगातार घूमने से धूल का एक परमानेंट कवर बन जाता है। मुख्य सड़क पर कूड़े के ढेर लगे हैं। धारूहेड़ा उन सभी चीजों की एक तस्वीर है जो गलत हो सकती थीं। इफको चौक से सिर्फ 40 किमी और दिल्ली के आईजीआई एयरपोर्ट से 60 किमी दूर 11 वर्ग किमी में फैला यह शहर अक्टूबर महीने में भारत का सबसे प्रदूषित स्थान था, जहां पीएम 2.5 की औसत सबसे ज़्यादा थी। किसी भी आगंतुक के लिए, यह तुरंत स्पष्ट हो जाता है कि ऐसा क्यों है। उन्हें यहीं रहना होगा और मेहनत करनी होगी यहां के निवासियों के लिए, यह जीवन का एक तरीका बन गया है। बदबू, धुआं, धूल, जाम रोजमर्रा की बाधाएं बन गए हैं, जिनसे पार पाना उनके लिए रोजमर्रा की बाधाएं बन गया है, क्योंकि वे चुपचाप अपना जीवन जीते हैं। कभी आंखों में जलन के साथ, कभी गले में खराश के साथ, कभी हफ्तों तक न जाने वाली सर्दी के साथ। यह घर है, वे और क्या कर सकते हैं? दिल्ली और गुड़गांव में रहने वाले लोगों के विपरीत, रेवाड़ी जिले के इस सीमावर्ती शहर में धुंध भरी छुट्टियां एक ऐसी विलासिता है जिसे लोग वहन नहीं कर सकते। उन्हें यहीं रहना होगा और मेहनत करनी होगी। हम इसी हवा में सांस लेते हैं धारूहेड़ा किसी एक वजह से घुट नहीं रहा है। इसकी वजह है भारी ट्रैफिक, राजस्थान के भिवाड़ी से सटे औद्योगिक क्षेत्र की फैक्ट्रियां, निर्माण कार्य, फटते हुए गोदाम जिनमें ट्रक आते-जाते रहते हैं, डीजल जनरेटर जो बार-बार बिजली कटौती के कारण यहां सब कुछ चलाते हैं। कूड़े के ढेर से निकलने वाला जहरीला धुआं जिसे लोग आग लगा देते हैं क्योंकि कोई उसे साफ नहीं करता। सेक्टर 6 के पास एक दुकानदार राम सैनी ने कहा कि हम यहीं रहते हैं। हम इसी हवा में सांस लेते हैं। पिछले कुछ वर्षों में, वायु प्रदूषण बढ़ा है। हम इसे हर साल महसूस करते हैं। 'एक तरफ फैक्ट्रियां, दूसरी तरफ घर' हाईवे धारूहेड़ा को दो हिस्सों में बांटता है एक तरफ फैक्ट्रियां, दूसरी तरफ घर और दुकानें। औद्योगिक हिस्सा ज़्यादा साफ है, लेकिन हवा के कारण उत्सर्जन पूरे शहर में फैल जाता है। सेक्टर 5 निवासी अमित ने कहा कि धारूहेड़ा में पार्किंग की उचित सुविधा नहीं है, इसलिए ज्यादातर गाड़ियां सड़क किनारे ही खड़ी रहती हैं। सड़कों पर चलने वाले लोगों को ट्रकों और बसों के धुएं से हर समय परेशानी होती है क्योंकि ये शहर से धीरे-धीरे गुजरते हैं। सड़कें हमेशा भीड़भाड़ वाली रहती हैं। ऑटो बेड़े में लगभग पूरी तरह से डीजल है, जो दिल्ली-एनसीआर में प्रतिबंधित है। धुआं लोगों के स्वास्थ्य के लिए हानिकारक बाईपास रोड निवासी ललित सिंह ने कहा कि ये तिपहिया वाहन न केवल डीजल पर, बल्कि डीजल-मिश्रित केरोसिन पर भी चलते हैं और शहर में परिवहन का सबसे अधिक इस्तेमाल किया जाने वाला साधन हैं। इन वाहनों से निकलने वाला धुआं लोगों के स्वास्थ्य के लिए हानिकारक है। धारूहेड़ा-भिवाड़ी क्षेत्र वह जगह है जहाँ दिल्ली-एनसीआर से कई लाल उद्योगों को स्थानांतरित किया गया था। और जबकि शहर इसकी कीमत चुका रहे हैं, बुनियादी प्रदूषण नियंत्रण उपायों का पूर्ण अभाव आश्चर्यजनक है, सर्वोच्च न्यायालय और राष्ट्रीय हरित अधिकरण द्वारा एनसीआर वायु शोधन की गहन जाँच, और एक केंद्रीय प्राधिकरण, सीएक्यूएम, जो वैज्ञानिक रूप से प्रदूषण-रोधी उपायों के प्रबंधन के लिए समर्पित है, को देखते हुए। एनसीआर की परिधि में स्थित, धारूहेड़ा को बस भुला दिया गया प्रतीत होता है। इसका सबूत सांस के जरिए देख रहे हैं धारूहेड़ा कई उद्योगों का केंद्र है, जिनमें ज्यादातर हार्डवेयर और रसायनों से जुड़े छोटे और मध्यम स्तर के कारखाने हैं। यह एक प्रमुख यात्रा चौराहा भी है क्योंकि यह दिल्ली-जयपुर राजमार्ग और अलवर रोड से जुड़ा हुआ है। सर्दियों के महीनों में यह भी एनसीआर के अन्य शहरों की तरह प्रतिकूल पर्यावरणीय कारकों से प्रभावित होता है। जैसे कम हवा की गति और गिरता तापमान, जो प्रदूषकों को जमीन के पास फंसा देते हैं। सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट के शोध सहयोगी शुभांश तिवारी ने बताया। हाईवे के पास राशन की दुकान चलाने वाले अजय सिंह ने कहा कि हमें हवा खराब है। यह बताने के लिए आंकड़ों की जरूरत नहीं है। हम हर दिन इसका सबूत सांस के जरिए देख रहे हैं। अब सुबह और शाम को धुआं हर दिन दिखाई देता है। भारत के 10 सबसे प्रदूषित शहर दिल्ली-एनसीआर में थे रिसर्चर ने चेतावनी दी है कि धारूहेड़ा जैसे कस्बे रडार से गायब हो रहे हैं क्योंकि नीतिगत बातचीत दिल्ली-केंद्रित रहती है। सेंटर फॉर रिसर्च ऑन एनर्जी एंड क्लीन एयर (CREA) के विश्लेषक मनोज कुमार ने कहा कि उत्तर भारत में प्रदूषण पर बातचीत में धारूहेड़ा जैसी जगहें गायब हैं। CREA ने अक्टूबर के आंकड़ों का विश्लेषण करके पाया कि इस महीने भारत के 10 सबसे प्रदूषित शहर दिल्ली-एनसीआर में थे, धारूहेड़ा सबसे ऊपर था, उसके बाद रोहतक। उन्होंने आगे कहा कि हर कोई दिल्ली पर ध्यान केंद्रित करता है, लेकिन माल ढुलाई और औद्योगिक गलियारों के किनारे बसे कस्बे बुनियादी नियमों के बिना दम घुट रहे हैं। जब तक सरकार स्वच्छ परिवहन सुनिश्चित नहीं करती और उत्सर्जन मानदंडों को लागू नहीं करती। धारूहेड़ा जैसी जगहें फेफड़ों की बीमारी और आजीविका के रूप में इसकी कीमत चुकाती रहेंगी। डीजल गाड़ियों पर भी कार्रवाई करेंगे राज्य प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्ड के अधिकारियों के पास जमीनी हालात या अपनी रणनीति के बारे में कहने के लिए बहुत कम था। इसके बजाय, उन्होंने आंकड़ों पर संदेह जताते हुए कहा कि शहर की प्रदूषण समस्या को शायद बढ़ा-चढ़ाकर बताया गया है। एक अधिकारी ने तर्क दिया कि शहर का एकमात्र वायु गुणवत्ता मॉनिटर भिवाड़ी से मुश्किल से 300 मीटर की दूरी पर है, जो राजस्थान के इस शहर से आने वाले उत्सर्जन को पकड़ता है, जो भारत के सबसे औद्योगिक रूप से सघन क्षेत्रों में से एक है। हम कचरा जलाने पर चालान जारी कर रहे हैं। हम डीजल गाड़ियों पर भी कार्रवाई करेंगे। जयपुर हाईवे के पास होने के कारण, धूल वायु प्रदूषण का एक बड़ा कारण है। भिवाड़ी में 6,500 से ज्यादा औद्योगिक इकाइयां हैं। हम अपना स्टेशन बदलने की योजना बना रहे हैं क्योंकि यह सही तस्वीर पेश नहीं कर रहा है। धारूहेड़ा अपने पड़ोसी शहर जितना प्रदूषित नहीं है, यही समस्या है। धारूहेड़ा में प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्ड के क्षेत्रीय अधिकारी निपुण गुप्ता ने कहा।

EU’s new climate target lines up multibillion-dollar boost for carbon markets

After arduous late night talks on Wednesday, European Union countries finally agreed a 2040 goal to cut the bloc’s emissions by 90% from 1990 levels, including a contentious concession that would let them buy foreign carbon credits to cover 5%. Under the deal, which must be approved by the European Parliament, the EU stands to buy 710 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) offsets worth about 50 billion euros ($57 billion) during the 2030s, according to an estimate by the Carbon Market Watch campaign group. That could give a huge boost to carbon credits from emissions-reduction projects, which are struggling with shrinking demand amid increased scrutiny of the sector. Trishant Dev, carbon markets lead at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a Delhi-based think-tank, told Climate Home News that 5% “may seem small compared to the EU’s overall emissions cuts, but in absolute terms it represents a vast volume of offsets, and therefore, massive investments in offset projects”. On top of the 5% of the EU’s 1990-level net emissions, EU countries may be able to use offsets to cancel out another 5% of their national emissions, increasing the bloc’s wiggle room on meeting its headline climate goals and drawing criticism from some climate campaigners. Countries split on counting carbon credits The possibility of using carbon credits was supported by the European Commission and numerous member states including Sweden, Ireland, Poland and Austria. Poland had pushed for 10% to be eligible for carbon credits, after one senior climate official hailed them in September as “a cost-efficient measure to cut emissions.” The Netherlands’ representative, meanwhile, opposed using more than 3%, saying that “availability, price and quality remain uncertain”. International credits should just be a “safety net”, he said. Slovakia’s environment minister also voiced concern about cost, saying the use of credits “may sound attractive but, with an estimated price…about €250 ($288) a tonne, this will not work for all of us”. Several other wealthy nations – such as Norway, Switzerland and Singapore – have already said they intend to use or may use some carbon credits to meet their 2035 climate targets. But Japan is the only major emitter that has specified how much it wants to buy – 200 million metric tonnes of CO2e by 2040, which at Carbon Market Watch’s assumed price of $70 a ton, would cost $14 billion. Many countries – particularly in the Global South – have indicated their interest in selling credits. Thailand, for example, has already sold credits to Switzerland in return for rolling out electric buses in Bangkok, although the integrity of that deal has been questioned. Critics say EU should reduce emissions at home While EU officials and carbon market supporters defended the bloc’s policy shift on offsets, climate campaigners were mostly critical. They said credits are expensive and will not reduce emissions by as much as they are supposed to, accusing the EU of dodging its responsibility as a historically large polluter to reduce the bloc’s emissions domestically. Fabiola de Simone, policy officer at Carbon Market Watch, told Climate Home News the EU’s climate target and the offsets were an “international embarrassment” for the EU which will mean “way more emissions than science says you should do”. Zimbabwe forest carbon megaproject generated millions of junk credits “There is less of an incentive for member states to reach their national obligations after 2030 because they know that they could potentially rely on international credits up to 5%,” de Simone said. Pedro Martins Barata, who works on carbon market integrity for the Environmental Defense Fund, called the flexibility in the EU’s target “disappointing”. But, he said, the EU could use its clout as a dominant buyer to promote high standards for credits, such as environmental safeguards in offset methodologies. “Planet doesn’t care where we cut emissions” Carbon market advocates say it does not matter where in the world emissions reductions take place, that reducing emissions with offsets can be cheaper than cutting them directly and that developing countries can benefit from the money and other support they receive by selling credits. “The planet doesn’t care where we reduce emissions,” EU climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra told a press conference on Wednesday, adding that the 5% quota for offsets was optional. Ukrainian scientist Olga Gassan-Zade, a member of the supervisory body of the Paris Agreement’s new Article 6.4 carbon market, told Climate Home News that without demand for credits – like that coming from the EU – international carbon markets would fail. That would be bad, she said, because “it is maybe hard to see from the Global North, but the developing world lives in a different dimension”. “International markets are not just about finance but are also about technology transfer, knowledge transfer, training of climate change professionals [and] equity,” she added. From Delhi, CSE’s Dev said carbon markets have often enriched intermediaries rather than supporting genuine emissions cuts. “These funds must therefore cover the true cost of mitigation, ensuring that communities are not short-changed or made to subsidise Europe’s continued emissions,” he said.

NCR Hotspots Lead National Pollution Rankings: Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Noida Record Severe Air Quality Spike in October

Despite a brief dip in early November, Delhi-NCR’s air quality crisis remains severe, with official data showing the National Capital Region topping the charts among India’s most polluted zones last month. According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) figures, Delhi ranked as the 6th most polluted Indian city in October 2025, while Ghaziabad and Noida claimed the 3rd and 4th positions, respectively. Average PM2.5 concentrations were nearly three times higher than in September, largely driven by post-harvest stubble burning, vehicular emissions, and construction dust. Environmental experts warn that AQI fluctuations in early November may mislead the public. Despite daily variability, long-term averages remain in the ‘Severe’ range, posing chronic health risks. “Seasonal volatility doesn’t mean improvement — it just masks cumulative exposure,” said Anumita Roychowdhury, Centre for Science and Environment.

18% बनाम 5%: GST की विरोधाभासी संरचना MSME रीसाइक्लर्स को दिवालियापन की ओर धकेल रही है

भारत का रीसाइक्लिंग सेक्टर, जिसमें प्लास्टिक, धातु, कागज, ई-कचरा और अन्य सामग्रियां शामिल हैं, आज पर्यावरणीय जिम्मेदारी और आर्थिक अवसर के चौराहे पर खड़ा है। यह क्षेत्र भारत के हरित परिवर्तन को गति दे सकता है, लैंडफिल कचरे को कम कर सकता है और नई कच्ची सामग्री के उत्पादन से होने वाले उत्सर्जन में भारी कटौती ला सकता है। लेकिन इस दिशा में आगे बढ़ने से पहले ही, मौजूदा गुड्स एंड सर्विसेज टैक्स (GST) ढांचा रीसाइक्लर्स के लिए राहत की बजाय एक ‘ब्लैक होल’ साबित हो रहा है। इनवर्टेड ड्यूटी स्ट्रक्चर: समस्या की जड़ मुख्य चुनौती उस स्थिति से उत्पन्न होती है जिसे विशेषज्ञ “इनवर्टेड ड्यूटी स्ट्रक्चर” कहते हैं। वर्तमान में PET स्क्रैप पर GST दर 18% है, जबकि रीसाइकिल्ड PET फाइबर पर केवल 5% कर लगाया जाता है। इस असंतुलन के कारण रीसाइक्लर्स को अपने इनपुट्स पर अधिक टैक्स देना पड़ता है, जबकि आउटपुट पर कम कर लिया जाता है। परिणामस्वरूप, उनकी कार्यशील पूंजी इनपुट टैक्स क्रेडिट (ITC) के रूप में फंस जाती है। खासकर MSME क्षेत्र के रीसाइक्लर्स के लिए यह एक गंभीर कैश-फ्लो संकट बन जाता है। धीमी रिफंड प्रक्रिया इस स्थिति को और बिगाड़ देती है, जिससे रीसाइक्लिंग वैल्यू चेन में औपचारिक भागीदारी घटती जा रही है। एक रीसाइक्लर ने कहा, “हम GST कानूनों का पालन करते हैं, लेकिन हमारे ITC की वास्तविकता की गारंटी कौन देगा? हम खरीदे गए स्क्रैप पर टैक्स सहित कीमत चुकाते हैं, और महीनों बाद GST विभाग से नोटिस मिलता है कि स्रोत फर्जी था और ITC को ब्याज व जुर्माने के साथ वापस करना होगा।” Advertisement: 0:06 Unibots.com औपचारिक रीसाइक्लर्स की मुश्किलें और बढ़ी अनौपचारिकता यह समस्या केवल कर ढांचे तक सीमित नहीं है, बल्कि भारत की रीसाइक्लिंग अर्थव्यवस्था की दिशा तय कर रही है। स्क्रैप पर 18% का उच्च कर छोटे और अनुपालक रीसाइक्लर्स को GST सिस्टम में बने रहने से हतोत्साहित करता है। इसके विपरीत, यह नकद-आधारित अनौपचारिक व्यापार को बढ़ावा देता है, जहां कोई टैक्स नहीं दिया जाता। नतीजतन, वैध व्यवसाय ग्रे मार्केट से पिछड़ जाते हैं। इस स्थिति से सरकार को राजस्व हानि होती है और पर्यावरणीय लागत बढ़ती है, क्योंकि अधिक कचरा लैंडफिल में समाप्त हो जाता है। CSE रिपोर्ट के आंकड़े चौंकाने वाले हैं सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (CSE) की 2025 की रिपोर्ट "रिलैक्स द टैक्स" के अनुसार, भारत के कचरा क्षेत्र में अनौपचारिकता का स्तर बेहद ऊंचा है — कागज और कांच में 95% प्लास्टिक में 80% ई-कचरे में 90% धातुओं में 65% रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक, औपचारिक रीसाइक्लिंग से ₹30,900 करोड़ का टैक्स इकट्ठा होता है, जबकि संभावित राजस्व ₹65,300 करोड़ सालाना है। यानी लगभग ₹34,000 करोड़ का नुकसान। अगर सुधार नहीं हुए, तो यह असंतुलन 2035 तक दोगुना हो सकता है।

Urban expansion at a cost: Tree felling for metro&road expansion fuels pollution fears in Gurgaon

Gurgaon: Even as large-scale tree felling for infrastructure projects is going on across the city, the timing — residents and environmentalists say — could not be worse. On one hand, winter is approaching and pollution levels have begun their seasonal rise, while on the other, trees along city's key arteries such as Galleria Market Road and Vyapar Kendra Road are being felled for widening of stretches. With the city's air quality already slipping into ‘ very poor' range and winter inversion about to trap pollutants, removing mature trees that act as natural filters has sparked criticism of how these projects were planned. "Once you cut them, you don't just lose shade or greenery, you lose a vital public health asset, " RP Balwan, a former Haryana forest officer and environmental expert, says. Environment activist Vivek Kamboj says, "They keep calling it development, but at what cost?" Kamboj told TOI, "Between sectors 27 and 43 alone, 344 trees have been allowed to go. These aren't just numbers on a file. These were old shade trees that kept this stretch cooler and quieter. Every summer gets harsher, every winter gets dustier and we are cutting the very things that could help us breathe. If the govt can approve removals this easily, then show us the replantation and survival record with the same urgency. Otherwise, this is not development, it's depletion." A Sector 9 resident said, "Had these trees been saved, they would have absorbed particulate matter and acted as a buffer during peak smog months. Instead, we are losing green cover when we need it most." The concerns are sharper this year because even the city's pollution data has come under scrutiny. In the last month, multiple air quality monitoring stations across Haryana — including in Gurgaon — have gone offline, making official AQI readings unreliable. With only one of the city's continuous monitoring stations operational on certain days, the "moderate" AQI being flashed offers little insight into actual exposure levels. "Development and green cover don't have to be at odds, " said Atul Kumar, a resident of Sector 45. "But here, tree protection gets treated as an obstacle rather than a design principle." With smog season looming, residents say the twin hits of tree loss and patchy air-quality monitoring leave the city more vulnerable and less informed, even as construction, traffic, and winter weather converge to push pollution up. This pattern is not new. Gurgaon has repeatedly cleared mature trees for road and metro infrastructure. In 2017, around 5,000 trees were felled for flyovers and underpasses along NH8. A year later, permission was granted to chop down 10,000 trees to widen Sohna Road. Many more trees have been cleared along highway stretches in the Gurgaon and Rewari forest divisions. An RTI query also showed authorities approved the felling of over 500 trees across projects, but only 124 were transplanted, while compensatory plantation for nearly 3,800 trees remained pending. Officials say compensatory afforestation is being carried out near the Kundli–Manesar–Palwal Expressway for the metro project as around 30,000 trees are being planted for the felling of 3,000 trees. But saplings planted on the periphery cannot instantly replace the ecological services of mature trees inside dense neighbourhoods. These saplings will take 15–20 years before they begin functioning as meaningful carbon and dust sinks. Former forest officer Balwan told TOI, "The city is losing decades of natural infrastructure for shortterm road expansion. It takes at least 20 years for a sapling to mature into a tree that can meaningfully clean the air. You cannot replace that ecosystem service overnight with plantation drives on paper. At a time when particulate matter is already rising because of unchecked vehicular pollution, cutting full-grown trees is like removing our only natural defence. Gurgaon keeps adding vehicles every year with no real curb or public transport alternative and these trees were silently doing the heavy lifting by trapping dust and absorbing carbon." Officials argue the projects are essential for easing traffic as Gurgaon's vehicle count continues to swell, but critics say the city is once again prioritising concrete over climate logic. What this really means is the air will pay before the commuters benefit. Centre for Science and Environment executive director (environment) Anumita Roychowdhury said, "Transport emissions are a major driver of urban air pollution and cities should be protecting trees while planning mobility infrastructure, not cutting them as an afterthought."

Air Pollution: दिल्ली ही नहीं पूरा देश झेल रहा प्रदूषण की मार, हवा में दिख रही धुंधली परत

सर्द मौसम की शुरुआत है। हवा की गति कम है लेकिन, नमी भी है। पहली किरण जब आपके घर की खिड़की से झांकती है, तो हवा में धुंधली परत नजर आने लगी है। यह अब राजधानी ही नहीं देशभर की हकीकत है। हर वर्ष की तरह प्रदूषण अपने पूरे रंग दिखा रहा है। इन दिनों हवा भारी हो जाती है। वह ऊपर नहीं जाती और प्रदूषक तत्वों को भी नीचे ही रोके रखती है। प्रदूषण तेजी से बढ़ता है। सोमवार को दैनिक जागरण विमर्श में सेंटर फार साइंस एंड एनवायरमेंट (सीएसई) की महानिदेशक पद्मश्री सुनीता नारायण ने प्रदूषण को एक सवाल राजनीतिक सवाल से अलग इसे जीवन का सवाल बनाने के लिए कहा।